There are alarming reports from overseas of the spread of the highly contagious H5N1 strain of avian influenza but, so far, it is not in the wild bird population in Australia. As an Aussie cat lover. here’s what you need to know:
Can my cat catch avian flu? Yes, cats can catch avian flu, but it’s pretty rare. The main risk comes from eating infected wildlife or raw food, especially if your cat is allowed to roam outside and hunt. If your cat comes into contact with sick or dead birds, there’s a chance it could be exposed to the virus. But, if your cat stays indoors and isn’t around wild birds, the risk is really low.
Should I be concerned? While the risk of your cat getting avian flu is small, it’s still good to be aware. The main concern is that migrating wild birds might bring the virus to Australia, but there are systems in place to monitor and manage that. If your cat doesn’t interact with wild birds, there’s not much to worry about.
Can I Catch Avian Flu From My Cat? The chances of you catching avian flu from your cat are extremely low. The virus mainly spreads between birds, and while a few human cases have been reported globally, those usually happen through direct contact with infected birds, not from pets. So, unless you’re handling sick birds yourself, the risk of getting sick from your cat is pretty much non-existent.
How Can I Keep My Cat Safe?
- Keep your cat indoors, or at least supervise outdoor time to stop it from hunting or getting too close to wild birds.
- If you see sick or dead birds, don’t touch them—just report them to local authorities.
- Make sure your cat’s food is properly prepared, and avoid feeding raw food from potentially risky sources.
Australia is currently free from the highly contagious H5N1 strain of avian flu but there are concerns about the potential spread of the H5N1 strain through migratory birds.
While it’s good to stay informed, the risk of your cat getting avian flu right now is really low. Keeping your cat safe from wild birds and handling food carefully will help keep both you and your feline companion free of this disease.
We’ll keep you up to date as the situation changes.
There is detailed information in this publication from the Western Australian Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development.