In June 2023, numerous cat deaths were documented by Polish media, reported ABCD member Tadeusz Frymus. Several feline cases of an acute, or peracute, disease had been reported. These fatal cases had presented initially with dyspnoea, pulmonary consolidation and neurological signs.

Subsequently, highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 virus was identified as the cause of these cases (doi.org/10.2807/1560-7917.ES.2023.28.31.2300366). The clinical course, diagnostic methods, including lung ultrasound examination, and results of laboratory tests have been described in detail for one of these patients. (doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms11092263). Poland’s Chief Veterinary Officer reported that until 17 July 2023, H5N1 infection had been confirmed in 33 domestic cats and one captive caracal. However, later the number of affected animals increased, with infected single ferrets and dogs also being identified. The confirmed cases included cats from different locations: Gdansk, Gdynia, Pruszcz Gdanski, Bydgoszcz, Poznan, Lublin and Warsaw.

The source of this infection is not clear. However, in one case raw poultry meat contaminated with H5N1 virus was the most probable cause (doi: 10.3201/eid1502.080949) and many of the affected cats had been fed raw meat or had access to leftovers.

Attempts to treat the affected cats have included the use of broad-spectrum antibiotics, anti-viral feline interferon omega (Virbagen Omega, Virbac), L-arginine supplementation, vitamin D, oxygen supplementation (such as via a tent, if available), as well as other supportive treatment.

The influenza virus is an enveloped virus, which is susceptible to heat, all common disinfectants as well as ultraviolet light (including sunshine).  Indirect transmission can occur; therefore, it is important to clean and disinfect hands and any surfaces that have been exposed to an infected cat (e.g., examination tables, cat carriers, etc).

ABCD continues to monitor the situation. In the meantime, we suggest that cat owners should be advised to keep their pets indoors in areas where avian influenza H5N1 virus has been detected (if possible, although ABCD recognises that this can cause undue stress in animals used to having outdoor access), to prevent contact between cats and wild animals, particularly birds, and to avoid feeding raw food.

The ABCD guideline Influenza Virus Infections in Cats is available at https://www.abcdcatsvets.org/guideline-for-influenza-virus-infections-in-cats/ and was last reviewed on 5 June 2023.

Following the outbreaks of avian influenza in cats in Poland earlier this summer, Tadeusz Frymus and Sándor Belák from ABCD held discussions with the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH), which subsequently prepared a factsheet on avian influenza in cats. The factsheet also contains a list of frequently asked questions, such as:

• Can cats give influenza to humans?
• What precautions can be taken to avoid exposure of cats to avian influenza?
• Is cat flu the same thing as avian influenza in cats?

The factsheet on avian influenza in cats is freely available from the WOAH website. For more details on influenza virus infections in cats, see the ABCD guidelines.

The 2023 ABCD Young Scientist Award, funded by Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health goes to Dr Evelyn Kuhlmeier (27), of the Zurich University Department of Clinical Diagnostics. She accepted her award during the congress of the International Society of Feline Medicine in Dublin in June 2023.

SARS-CoV-2 in companion and stray cats

Evelyn’s study examined the potential transmission routes for SARS-CoV-2 to animals, both in infected households and in free-roaming stray cats. A further aim was to determine the prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 infection in cats and to identify the risk factors for infection.

ABCD president professor Margaret Hosie congratulated the laureate, commenting: ‘Evelyn’s study demonstrates that the behaviour of owners and the living conditions of their cats can influence the likelihood of human-to-cat SARS-CoV-2 transmission. Her work is important in the context of a One Health approach, and is both impactful and practical, allowing vets to provide evidence-based advice to SARS-CoV-2-positive cat owners to avoid transmission of the infection.’

Cats of owners with COVID-19 should get ‘plenty of outdoor access’

Dr Evelyn Kuhlmeier added: ‘The knowledge of risk factors for the animals can help owners better protect their cats and prevent infections. For example, as a prophylactic measure, it might be useful to allow such cats plenty of access to the outdoors, as this reduces the time spent in a potentially infectious environment.’ Although cats are known to be susceptible to SARS-CoV-2, the knowledge of SARS-CoV-2 infections in pet and stray cats is still limited.

ABCD & Boehringer Ingelheim Young Scientist Awards

‘Our company is strongly committed to supporting independent research in the field of feline infectious diseases, and the Young Scientist Award represents a wonderful collaboration between Boehringer Ingelheim and the ABCD, said Dr Jean-Philippe Tronel, director of the global technical services for pet vaccines at Boehringer Ingelheim. ‘We warmly congratulate Dr Evelyn Kuhlmeier and encourage everyone to check out the previous winners, most of whom are still very active researchers contributing to the health of our beloved cats.’

The Young Scientist Award, created in 2008, is presented annually to young scientists in veterinary or biomedical sciences, who have made an original contribution in the field of feline infectious diseases and/or immunology.

…and that makes four! With the commitment of MSD Animal Health, the ABCD is proud to announce that its activities are now supported by four major players in the animal health field, with MSD joining ranks with Boehringer Ingelheim (founding sponsor), Virbac and Idexx.

On 22 June 2023, numerous cat deaths were documented by Polish media, reported ABCD member Tadeusz Frymus. The previous week, several feline cases of an acute, or peracute, disease had been reported. These fatal cases had presented initially with dyspnoea, pulmonary consolidation and neurological signs.

Subsequently, Poland’s Chief Veterinary Officer reported that infection with H5N1 avian influenza virus had been confirmed in several of the cats that had died, although the strain was not identical to the strain identified recently in waterfowl on the Baltic coast. The confirmed cases of H5N1 avian influenza included cats from different locations: Gdansk, Gdynia, Pruszcz Gdanski, Bydgoszcz, Poznan, Lublin and Warsaw.

On 5 July 2023, ProMED reported that the H5N1 avian influenza viruses from cats analyzed so far originate from a single, unidentified source, related to the H5N1 viruses circulating in wild birds in recent weeks in Poland.

Attempts to treat the affected cats have included the use of broad-spectrum antibiotics, anti-viral feline interferon omega (Virbagen Omega, Virbac), L-arginine supplementation, vitamin D, oxygen supplementation (such as via a tent, if available), as well as other supportive treatment.

The influenza virus is an enveloped virus, which is susceptible to heat, all common disinfectants as well as ultraviolet light (including sunshine).  Indirect transmission can occur; therefore, it is important to clean and disinfect hands and any surfaces that have been exposed to an infected cat (e.g., examination tables, cat carriers, etc).

ABCD is monitoring the situation closely. In the meantime, we suggest that cat owners should be advised to keep their pets indoors (if possible, although ABCD recognises that this can cause undue stress in animals used to having outdoor access), to prevent contact between cats and wild animals, particularly birds, and to avoid feeding raw food.

The ABCD guideline Influenza Virus Infections in Cats is available at https://www.abcdcatsvets.org/guideline-for-influenza-virus-infections-in-cats/ and was last reviewed on 5 June 2023.

Applications for the 2023 ABCD & Boehringer Ingelheim Young Scientist Award are now open. This award aims to reward innovative and outstanding work by promising young professionals in the field of feline infectious diseases and/or immunology. For the rules and application form see this page.