Avian Influenza Information and Resources

Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI), also known as “bird flu,” is a highly contagious viral disease of wild and domestic birds. The current outbreak began in late March 2024 with the detection of H5N1, a subtype of the influenza A virus, in dairy cows. H5 bird flu is spreading worldwide in wild birds and causing sporadic outbreaks in U.S. poultry and dairy farms. In addition to spreading to an increasing number of various mammal species, H5 bird flu has caused some rare human infections. The current public health risk is low, and there have been zero reported cases to human-to-human spread in the U.S.

Source: The CDC National Situation Summary

Below, you will find a list of local and national resources and articles that cover major developments in the presence of the virus, prevention and safety considerations for pets and people, recent research, and more.

Connecticut Resources & News

Pets

Cats and dogs may become infected if they eat sick or dead infected birds, drink unpasteurized milk from infected cows, or eat undercooked or raw meat. Cats are particularly susceptible to severe illness and death caused by the virus. The likelihood of dogs catching avian influenza is very low.

AAHA - Scenario-Based Planning for HPAI H5N1 in Small Animal Practice

AVMA – Avian Influenza in Cats

AVMA – Avian Influenza in Dogs, Cats, and Backyard Flocks

American Kennel Club – Bird Flu And Dogs

All Current FDA Pet Food Recalls

Bird Flu and Cats, Cathy Lund, DVM

Study: Antibodies to Influenza A(H5N1) Virus in Hunting Dogs Retrieving Wild Fowl

Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza A(H5N1) Virus Infection of Indoor Domestic Cats Within Dairy Industry Worker Households

12/24/24 Northwest Naturals Cat Food Recall Due to Avian Flu

Dairy & Poultry

Avian influenza is widespread in commercial and backyard flocks, with millions of birds affected. Unlike poultry, which experience high mortality rates from avian influenza, cattle generally recover from the virus.

AVMA – Avian Influenza in Dairy Cattle

Study: Three Bovine Veterinarians Unknowingly Infected with H5N1

FDA: Pasteurization of Milk Inactivates H5N1

Daily Updates: Map of Confirmed Avian Influenza Cases in Livestock

3/20/25 Rising Bird Flu Cases in Cats

3/5/25 Backyard Chickens and Bird Flu

Research, General Prevention, and Vaccines

USDA Detections of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza

AVMA General Information and Veterinary Resources

Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (Bird Flu) Resource Center – Cornell University

Proper PPE Usage From The CDC

2/18/25 French Bird Flu Vaccine Campaign Helps Poultry Industry Recover

2/2/25 Egg Farmers Warm to Idea of Vaccinating Birds

1/8/25 USDA to Build Stockpile of Bird Flu Vaccine for Poultry