The latest findings on bird flu (H5N1) have raised alarms among scientists and health officials. A new study from the University of Maryland School of Public Health reveals that the virus is highly lethal to cats, with a 90% fatality rate among infected felines. Researchers warn that the virus is evolving rapidly, increasing the risk of spillover to humans.
The study examined 607 cases of bird flu in cats across 18 countries, with 302 confirmed deaths. The virus is spreading through multiple pathways, including direct consumption of infected birds, contaminated raw chicken feed, and exposure to infected dairy cattle. Some cases suggest cat-to-cat transmission, raising concerns about outbreaks in shelters and households.
The risk to humans is growing. While there are no confirmed cases of human-to-human transmission, the virus has already infected 66 people in the U.S., with one reported death. Globally, bird flu has killed nearly half of the 950 people infected. Scientists fear that as the virus adapts, it could become more transmissible among humans, potentially leading to a pandemic scenario.
Sources
https://www.passporthealthglobal.com/2025/05/bird-flu-spreads-from-humans-to-cats-new-cdc-research/