Eurosurv. Cats as sentinels of mammal exposure to H5Nx avian influenza viruses: a seroprevalence study, France, December 2023 to January 2025

[tetano]

• Pierre Bessière[SUP]1[/SUP] , Jessie Brun[SUP]2[/SUP] , Brandon Hayes[SUP]1[/SUP] , Amélie Marchand[SUP]2[/SUP] , Laura Lebouteiller[SUP]1[/SUP] , Sébastien-Mathieu Soubies[SUP]1[/SUP] , Marie-Christine Cadiergues[SUP]2[/SUP] , Jean-Luc Guérin[SUP]1[/SUP]

Circulation of clade 2.3.4.4b highly pathogenic avian influenza H5Nx viruses has intensified in recent years, increasing epizootics and mammalian exposure. Cats, bridging wild and domestic environments, are key for studying cross-species transmission. To assess their exposure in France, we screened 728 outdoor cats (December 2023–January 2025). Seropositivity was 2.6% (19/728), with an estimated seroprevalence at 1.8%. Absence of hunting behaviour was a significant protective factor. These findings highlight high recent exposure and the need for targeted surveillance in cats.

​https://www.eurosurveillance.org/content/10.2807/1560-7917.ES.2025.30.12.2500189

 

[sharon sanders]

Please see:


France - H5N1 has been detected in a significant proportion of cats according to a virologist​

US H5N1 Avian Flu in Domestic Cats List

NYC Public Health Dept. on March 15, 2025 "Keep your cats indoors" link

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