Eurosurv. Emergence and potential transmission route of avian influenza A (H5N1) virus in domestic cats in Poland, June 2023

[tetano]

• Lukasz Rabalski[SUP]1,2[/SUP] , Aleksandra Milewska[SUP]3[/SUP] , Anne Pohlmann[SUP]4[/SUP] , Karolina Gackowska[SUP]1[/SUP] , Tomasz Lepionka[SUP]2[/SUP] , Klaudiusz Szczepaniak[SUP]5[/SUP] , Agnieszka Swiatalska[SUP]6[/SUP] , Izabela Sieminska[SUP]7[/SUP] , Zbigniew Arent[SUP]7[/SUP] , Martin Beer[SUP]4[/SUP] , Marion Koopmans[SUP]8[/SUP] , Maciej Grzybek[SUP]9[/SUP] , Krzysztof Pyrc[SUP]3[/SUP]

In June 2023, a fatal disease outbreak in cats occurred in Poland. Most cases tested in Poland (29 of 47) were positive for highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) A (H5N1) virus. Genetic analyses revealed clade 2.3.4.4b with point mutations indicative of initial mammalian hosts adaptations. Cat viral sequences were highly similar (n = 21), suggesting a potential common infection source. To investigate possible infection routes, our group tested food samples from affected households. HPAI H5N1 virus was detected in one poultry meat sample.

https://www.eurosurveillance.org/content/10.2807/1560-7917.ES.2023.28.31.2300390
​