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.
The feral cat developed severe disease, including neurological signs, and was euthanized humanely. 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 remains ongoing.
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, exposure to infected birds or other animals, or contact with contaminated clothing or items (fomites) used on affected premises.
The cats tied to this incident in Hunterdon County had no known exposure to infected poultry, livestock, or consumption of raw milk or meat. However, they did roam freely outdoors, and exposure to wild birds or other animals remains uncertain.
Clinical signs in cats can include:
- General signs: Loss of appetite, fever, lethargy
- Respiratory signs: Discharge from the eyes and mouth, sneezing, coughing, difficulty breathing
- Neurologic signs: Seizures, circling, wobbling gait, blindness
“I have been advised that the overall public health risk remains low at this time,” Lanza said. “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. The County Health Department and Office of Emergency Management will take all necessary steps to protect public health.”
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.
New Jersey residents can find additional information and recommendations on ways to help prevent H5 bird flu infection in cats from the American Veterinary Medical Association.
Cat owners can take the following steps to protect their pets:
- Do not feed cats raw (unpasteurized) milk or dairy products, and avoid feeding raw or undercooked meat treats or diets.
- Keep cats indoors to prevent exposure to birds and other wildlife.
- Keep cats away from livestock, poultry, and their environments.
- Avoid contact with sick or dead birds and other wildlife.
- Thoroughly wash your hands after handling your cat and after any encounters with poultry, livestock, or wild birds and other animals.
- Change your clothes and shoes, and thoroughly wash any exposed skin after interacting with sick or dead animals that may harbor the H5N1 virus, and before interacting with your cat.
- Contact a veterinarian if you notice signs of H5 HPAI or believe your cat might have been exposed to the virus.
NJDOH continues to work in collaboration with the NJ Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) and the NJ Department of Agriculture (NJDA) to monitor H5N1 Avian Influenza cases and their impact across the state.
If you find sick or dead wild birds, do not handle them. Contact NJDEP’s Fish and Wildlife hotline at 1-877-WARNDEP. To report sick or dead poultry, do not handle them. Contact the NJDA Division of Animal Health at 609-671-6400.
