Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Influenza A virus exposure in Polish cats during 2023 H5N1 outbreak
By Golke, Anna et al.·Published in Viruses·2025·Department of Preclinical Sciences·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: The Seroprevalence of Influenza A Virus Infections in Polish Cats During a Feline H5N1 Influenza Outbreak in 2023.
- Species:
- cat
Plain-English summary
A group of cats in Poland was tested for exposure to the H5N1 influenza virus after an outbreak in June 2023. Out of 835 cats, about 8.5% showed signs of having been infected with influenza A viruses, with a notable number also testing positive for the H5 strain. Younger male cats were more likely to be infected with H5, while older cats showed more exposure to other strains. This highlights the need for increased monitoring of cats in areas where bird flu is present. Preventive measures, like keeping cats indoors and considering vaccinations for humans, may help reduce risks.
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Abstract
Recently, cats have emerged as potential incidental hosts for avian and human influenza A viruses (IAVs), including the highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 virus. Following an unprecedented outbreak of H5N1 HPAI in cats in Poland in June 2023, we conducted a cross-sectional epidemiological study to assess the seroprevalence of IAV, especially H5Nx, infections in domestic cats. Eight hundred thirty-five serum samples collected in June 2023 were tested using a competitive ELISA for antibodies to IAV nucleoprotein. Positive or doubtful samples were further screened for H5-specific antibodies. The overall seropositivity for IAV was 8.5% (CI 95%: 6.8%, 10.6%; 71/835 cats), and 23/68 IAV-seropositive cats (33.8%) were also seropositive for H5 antigen. Multivariable analysis identified young age (≤8 years) and male sex as significant risk factors for H5 seropositivity, while non-H5-IAV seropositivity was more common in cats aged ≥12 years. These findings suggest different exposure pathways and host risk profiles for H5 and non-H5 IAVs and underscore the importance of enhanced surveillance in cats, particularly in regions affected by HPAI outbreaks. Given the susceptibility of cats to both avian and human IAVs, including subclinical infections, there is a theoretical risk for viral reassortment. Preventive measures, including vaccinating humans and restricting outdoor access for cats, should be considered in endemic areas.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40573446/