REDWOOD CITY — A stray cat in San Mateo County recently tested positive for bird flu, officials said Thursday.
The case is not related to an H5N1 incident involving a backyard poultry flock in San Mateo, according to the county executive’s office.
The cat was taken in by a Half Moon Bay family. When it showed symptoms, they brought it to the Peninsula Humane Society, whose veterinarians examined the cat and requested testing.
Lab results confirmed the cat had H5N1 and it was euthanized due to its condition, officials said.
The risk of cats spreading the virus to people is extremely low, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the incident did not result in any human cases.
Cats may be exposed to H5N1 by eating infected birds, being in environments contaminated with the virus, and consuming unpasteurized milk from infected cows or raw food.
The case highlights the importance of being proactive about preventing the spread of the virus, officials said. Residents whose pets show signs of illness should contact their veterinarian.
Pets infected with H5N1 may experience a loss of appetite, lethargy and fever, along with neurological signs, including circling, tremors, seizures or blindness, officials said.
The illness may rapidly progress to depression, discharge from eyes or nose and other respiratory ailments, such as sneezing or coughing, officials said. Death is possible in severe cases.
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