Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Avian flu H5N1 found in domestic cats in Poland June 2023
By Rabalski, Lukasz et al.·Published in Euro surveillance : bulletin Europeen sur les maladies transmissibles = European communicable disease bulletin·2023·Intercollegiate Faculty of Biotechnology of University of Gdansk and Medical University of Gdansk·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Emergence and potential transmission route of avian influenza A (H5N1) virus in domestic cats in Poland, June 2023.
Plain-English summary
In June 2023, a serious outbreak of avian influenza (H5N1) was reported in domestic cats in Poland, with 29 out of 47 tested cats showing positive results. This virus is highly pathogenic and can be fatal to cats. Genetic testing indicated that the virus had adapted to infect mammals, and many of the cat samples were closely related, suggesting they may have come from the same source. Investigations into how the cats were infected revealed the virus was found in a sample of poultry meat from one of the affected households.
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Abstract
In June 2023, a fatal disease outbreak in cats occurred in Poland. Most cases tested in Poland (29 of 47) were positive for highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) A (H5N1) virus. Genetic analyses revealed clade 2.3.4.4b with point mutations indicative of initial mammalian hosts adaptations. Cat viral sequences were highly similar (n = 21), suggesting a potential common infection source. To investigate possible infection routes, our group tested food samples from affected households. HPAI H5N1 virus was detected in one poultry meat sample.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37535471/