Abstract Title
Avian Influenza A(H5N1) Virus Infection of Indoor Domestic Cats Within Dairy Industry Worker Households — Michigan, May 2024
Abstract
Cats on U.S. dairy cattle farms have been documented with highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) A(H5N1) virus infection. This report describes the public health investigations of two exclusively indoor cats with HPAI A(H5N1) virus infection in different households by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHSS) in May 2024. The cats’ owners and household members were interviewed and offered testing for influenza A(H5) virus. Veterinary staff who evaluated the infected cats were interviewed, monitored, and offered A(H5) testing. The owner of one cat worked on a dairy farm but refused testing for A(H5), and other household members tested negative for A(H5). The other cat’s owner worked on multiple dairy farms, some that had dairy cattle positive for A(H5N1), but no one in the home consented to A(H5) testing. No veterinary staff tested A(H5) positive. In states with confirmed A(H5N1) in livestock, obtaining household members’ occupational information can help guide patient evaluation. If occupational exposure to A(H5N1) infected livestock is identified and cats are suspected with A(H5N1) virus infection, veterinarians should contact state and federal public health and animal health officials to collaborate on joint One Health investigations and testing to protect human and animal health.
Co-Author(s)
Ramya Naraharisetti, PhD - Epidemic Intelligence Service, CDC/Michigan Department of Health and Human Services;
Lizette O. Durand, VMD, PhD - Influenza Division, National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, CDC;
Timothy M. Uyeki, MD - Influenza Division, National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, CDC;
Joseph Coyle, MPH - Michigan Department of Health and Human Services;
Meghan Weinberg, PhD, MPH - Michigan Department of Health and Human Services;
Mary Grace Stobierski, DVM, MPH - Michigan Department of Health and Human Services;
Kimberly Dodd, DVM - Michigan State University College of Veterinary Medicine;
Nora Wineland, DVM - Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development;
Jennifer Morse, MD, MPH - Mid-Michigan District Health Department;
Jevon McFadden, MD, MPH – Division of State and Local Readiness, Office of Readiness and Response, CDC/Michigan Department of Health and Human Services;
Becky Stoddard, RN - Mid-Michigan District Health Department;
Mathew Beal, DVM - Michigan State University College of Veterinary Medicine;
Samantha Hatter, DVM - Michigan State University College of Veterinary Medicine;
Dodd Sledge, DVM - Michigan State University College of Veterinary Medicine;
Katelyn Youatt, DVM - Michigan State University College of Veterinary Medicine
Abstract Category
Avian influenza in mammals, pandemic preparedness, and one health