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New Jersey - Avian Influenza in mammals 2025-2026

Commonground

Commonground

Senior Moderator
Facebook
David De Giralamo
10h
​
PLEASE READ...H5N1 (AVIAN FLU) CASE REPORT IN A HUNTERDON COUNTY FELINE

UT neighbors:
I have been informed by the Hunterdon County Health Department of an apparent presumptive positive case of H5N1 in a feline (or cat) in Hunterdon County. Out of privacy concerns, we have been advised that the specific municipality cannot be shared.
The health department is in direct contact with the individuals who might have had exposure to this feline.
In addition, I'm being told that the State will be releasing further information in a memorandum over the next 24 hours, and this will include guidance on precautionary measures for residents.
Finally, I will be participating in a Mayor call tomorrow with the County Health Department and Office of Emergency Management, and I will share any and all details I'm allowed to share.
Please stay tuned for further information, as this is an evolving situation.​

https://www.facebook.com/groups/525500844275954/posts/2941032879389393/
 
[bolding is mine]
H5 Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Confirmed in New Jersey Cat

​For Release:
February 28, 2025​

H5 Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Confirmed in New Jersey Cat



Caution Advised Though H5N1 Public Health Risk to Humans Remains Low

TRENTON, NJ - The first feline case of H5 Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI or “bird flu”) in New Jersey has been confirmed in a feral cat from Hunterdon County. The case was confirmed by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) National Veterinary Services Laboratory, and follows previous national reports of confirmed feline cases in other states.

The cat developed severe disease, including neurologic signs, and was humanely euthanized. Other cats on the same property were also reported ill, and one additional indoor-outdoor cat was subsequently confirmed positive for H5 HPAI. Other tests are still pending, and the investigation is ongoing.

The overall public health risk remains low at this time. While H5 HPAI has been detected in humans in the U.S. – primarily in individuals with close contact with infected poultry or dairy cattle – there have been no human cases reported in New Jersey, and none of the cases across the country are known to have resulted from exposure to an infected cat.

Local health officials are working closely with the New Jersey Department of Health in conducting follow up and symptom monitoring on individuals that have been in contact with these cats. All exposed individuals are currently asymptomatic. Residents who have had close, unprotected contact with a cat or other animal infected with H5 HPAI should contact their local health department and monitor themselves for symptoms for 10 days following their last exposure.

“While the risk of H5 infection to the general population remains low at this time, it is important for people to learn more about the situation and take steps to avoid potential infection through exposure to animals, including feral cats,” said New Jersey Health Commissioner Kaitlan Baston, MD, MSc, DFASAM. “We continue to work with state and federal partners to monitor the spread of this virus and provide public information on mitigating the risks.”

Cats are particularly susceptible to H5 HPAI and often experience severe disease and high mortality when infected. Potential exposure sources of H5 HPAI for cats include consuming raw (unpasteurized) milk or raw/undercooked meat contaminated with the virus, infected birds or other animals and their environments, or exposure to contaminated clothing or items (fomites) worn or used on affected premises.

The cats tied to this incident in Hunterdon County had no known reported exposures to infected poultry, livestock, or consumption of raw (unpasteurized) milk or meat, but did roam freely outdoors, so exposure to wild birds or other animals is unknown.

Clinical signs in cats can include:
​
continued: https://www.nj.gov/health/news/2025/approved/20250228a.shtml
 
March 1, 2025
Hunterdon County addresses health concerns after feline bird flu detection



HUNTERDON COUNTY, NJ – Hunterdon County Commissioner Director John E. Lanza hosted a meeting on Friday with municipal officials and OEM personnel to discuss two cases of H5 Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI or “bird flu”) in New Jersey, discovered in a feral cat and one indoor-outdoor cat in Hunterdon County.

Hunterdon County Health Officer Karen DeMarco provided an overview of the situation, detailing the steps the County Health Department is taking in partnership with the New Jersey Department of Health (NJDOH) and the County Office of Emergency Management. “The risk of H5 infection to the general population remains low, but the Hunterdon County Health Department is proactively educating the public about bird flu and encouraging those at higher risk for exposure, including agricultural workers,” Health Officer DeMarco noted.

The Health Department is distributing enhanced guidance to medical providers, first responders, veterinarians, animal control officers, and the agricultural community in Hunterdon County. Additionally, the department is monitoring the health of individuals who had contact with the affected cats, and to date, all are asymptomatic.

-snip-
New Jersey residents should contact their veterinarian immediately if they are concerned that their cat may have H5 bird flu. Anyone who suspects possible exposure or has concerns about H5 HPAI in their cat should contact their veterinarian before bringing the cat in for examination, so the veterinarian can take the necessary precautions to prevent disease spread. Residents who observe a sick stray or feral cat should contact local animal control for assistance.

Veterinarians who suspect H5 HPAI in a cat should follow CDC recommendations to protect themselves and prevent exposures, including wearing personal protective equipment (PPE) when handling the cats. All suspect feline cases should be reported to the New Jersey Department of Health Communicable Disease Service at 609-826-4872 or zoonoticrn@doh.nj.gov. Testing for suspect feline cases is available at the New Jersey Animal Health Diagnostic Laboratory, a member of the USDA’s National Animal Health Laboratory Network. Guidance for veterinarians on specimen collection and submission can be found here.​
-snip-
Cat owners can take the following steps to protect their pets:​

continued: https://wrnjradio.com/hunterdon-county-addresses-health-concerns-after-feline-bird-flu-detection/

​
 
comments from Facebook post above (#1)

...."xxx
"It has to be close because our vet, Dr Ross, down the road from Pilot wrote his clients an email stating he has cases (plural) confirmed at his hospital​..."

...xxx
xxx "we got that notice from Dr. Ross as wel"l.​...
Click to expand...


Animal Hospital of Clinton-Perryville: Dr. Ross Keith DVM
Animal hospital in Union Township, New Jersey
Address: 58 NJ-173, Hampton, NJ 08827​

http://www.animalhospitalofclinton.com
 
Detections of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza in Mammals


Last Modified: March 04, 2025
...

image.png - Click image for larger version Name: image.png Views: 1 Size: 18.0 KB ID: 1009082
​
https://www.aphis.usda.gov/livestock-poultry-disease/avian/avian-influenza/hpai-detections/mammals
 
Media Release

New Jersey Department of Health Confirms Additional Feline Cases of H5/HPAI “Bird Flu”
​March 6, 2025


On February 28th, the New Jersey Department of Health confirmed two cases of H5 Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI

or “bird flu”) in 2 domestic cats in Hunterdon County. Other cats on the same property had been ill and additional test

results were pending. Today, Hunterdon County Health Officer Karen DeMarco provided an update and reports the

laboratory testing for the pending samples confirms the four additional felines also tested positive for HPAI. A total of six

cats tested positive for HPAI, all six are connected on the same property.

County Commissioner and Liaison to the Department of Health Shaun C. Van Doren noted, “I am advised that the risk of H5

infection to the general population continues to remain low, but the Hunterdon County Health Department will continue to

take proactive action including educating those at greater risk for exposure which includes agricultural workers.”

According to NJDOH, cats are particularly susceptible to H5 HPAI and often experience severe disease and high mortality

when infected. Potential exposure sources of H5 HPAI for cats include consuming raw (unpasteurized) milk or

raw/undercooked meat contaminated with the virus, infected birds or other animals and their environments, or exposure

to contaminated clothing or items (fomites) worn or used on affected premises.

County Health Officer DeMarco added, “Health department staff are conducting daily symptom monitoring with all

individuals who had close contact with the affected animals, and all are asymptomatic at this time.”

New Jersey residents should contact their veterinarian immediately if they are concerned that their cat may have H5 bird

flu. Anyone who suspects a possible exposure or who has H5 HPAI concerns about their cat should contact their veterinarian

prior to bringing the cat in to be seen so that the veterinarian can take the necessary precautions to prevent spread of

disease. Residents who observe a sick stray or feral cat should contact their local animal control for assistance.
​
continued: https://www.co.hunterdon.nj.us/DocumentCenter/View/16577/HPAI-PR-03-06-25?bidId=
 
Source: https://newjersey.news12.com/officials-6-cats-in-hunterdon-county-test-positive-for-bird-flu

Officials: 6 cats in Hunterdon County test positive for bird flu
Officials say that the cats all lived on the same property, according to county health officials.
Matt Trapani
Mar 6, 2025, 10:19 PM
Updated yesterday​

Six cats in Hunterdon County have tested positive for the bird flu, according to health officials.
Officials say that the cats all lived on the same property.​..
 
According to the State of New Jersey, the three black bears who were infected with avian influenza in Ocean County (post above) were captive animals:

...
H5N1 in New Jersey as of 3/21/25:
  • Human cases: None.
  • Wild birds: Confirmed detections have occurred in Warren and Salem Counties. Presumptive positive detections have occurred in Atlantic, Bergen, Burlington, Cape May, Cumberland, Gloucester, Hunterdon, Mercer, Middlesex, Monmouth, Morris, Ocean, Somerset, and Sussex Counties.
  • Poultry:
    • Live Bird Markets: Presumptive positive detections in Hudson, Mercer, and Union Counties.
    • Commercial Poultry Farms: None.
    • Backyard flocks: Presumptive positive detections in Atlantic and Salem Counties.
  • Cattle/livestock: None.
  • Cats: Confirmed detections in cats in Hunterdon County.
  • Other animals: Confirmed detections in captive bears in Ocean County.
...

​https://www.nj.gov/H5N1/
 
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