For cats that enjoy outdoor activities, Feah suggests that leashed walks can be beneficial. She also advises cat owners to consider building secure catios or enclosed, covered outdoor areas. These structures allow cats to enjoy fresh air and sensory stimulation from being outside while minimizing the risk of contact with wildlife and their droppings.
Due to concerns that bird flu might also affect dogs, Faeh recommends keeping them on a leash when outdoors. The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) advises against feeding dogs raw or undercooked food or treats.
Faeh encourages cat owners to seek veterinary care if they have concerns about their pet’s health. Symptoms of bird flu to watch for include loss of appetite, lethargy, fever, runny nose, runny eyes, and tremors. When scheduling a veterinary appointment for a sick pet, it is important to inform the clinic about any worries regarding bird flu. The veterinary team may request that the owner and pet wait outside until the appointment time and may implement additional in-clinic precautions to prevent the disease’s spread.
Raising backyard chickens has become a popular pastime, especially in large urban areas across the United States. With the increasing price of eggs, more people are expected to start keeping flocks. However, if backyard flocks spend time outside, they are at a heightened risk of contracting bird flu.
For prospective chicken owners, Faeh recommends contacting local health and agriculture departments to discuss the risk of bird flu in the area before introducing chickens to the home. If the infection risk is high, such as in areas with reported outbreaks, it may be wise to delay acquiring chickens.
For those who already have chickens or are determined to start a flock, Faeh suggests several precautions. Chickens should not be allowed to roam freely in the yard; instead, they should be kept in a covered coop or run to minimize wildlife exposure. Owners are also encouraged to limit chickens’ interaction with guests, who might inadvertently introduce the disease to the flock.
In backyard chickens, symptoms of H5N1 may be more challenging to identify than in cats, and the birds can quickly succumb to the disease. It is crucial to maintain a relationship with a local veterinarian experienced with chickens. Any signs of illness within the flock should prompt immediate veterinary consultation. If a chicken dies and bird flu is suspected, contacting a veterinarian and the local public health department is advised.
When handling and caring for backyard chickens, owners should take personal precautions. Faeh advises washing hands and changing clothes after interacting with the birds, even if they appear healthy. If a pet or bird seems ill, wearing a mask is also recommended.
While the transmission of H5N1 from livestock to humans is rare, the virus has demonstrated the ability to make this leap. Since the onset of the outbreak, 70 people in the United States have been infected, and one individual has died. Most human cases have occurred among farm workers dealing with infected livestock, particularly in the dairy industry, where they come into contact with infected cattle and unpasteurized milk. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the current risk to human health from H5N1 remains low.
Nonetheless, maintaining good hygiene is key to preventing the virus from spreading in any direction. Handling sick chickens might not result in human infection, but the virus could be transferred to others. Washing hands and changing clothes after contact with the birds serves not only the handler’s benefit but also protects other animals they might encounter, including personal pets or those belonging to others. “The risks are much lower to people than cats,” Faeh states. “We are more likely to bring it to them than they are to bring it to us.”
