Recent news headlines—"House Cats with Bird Flu Could Pose Risk to Human Health" and "Could Cats Become a Carrier of Bird Flu?"—originate from a study published in Emerging Microbes & Infections, raising concerns among pet owners and public health officials.
In the study, senior author Suresh Kuchipudi, PhD, MVSc, MBA, professor and chair of the School of Public Health's Department of Infectious Diseases and Microbiology, investigated a case of 10 cats that died in a rural South Dakota residence in the spring of 2024.
The cats, confirmed to be infected with avian influenza H5N1 virus, had exhibited respiratory and neurological symptoms before their deaths. After analyzing the H5N1 viral strains from two of the cat, Kuchipudi identified a close genetic relationship to a strain previously detected in local dairy cattle. Because bird feathers were found near the deceased cats, the researchers surmised the cats had most likely been infected after consuming virus-laden wild birds.
Kuchipudi and his co-authors found that cats have receptors that make them vulnerable to bird and human flu viruses, meaning they could serve as a mixing vessel for these viruses. Their study also showed early signs that the H5N1 virus may adapt in cats—raising concerns about potential risks to human health.
"Emerging infectious diseases like avian influenza H5N1 virus tend to be zoonotic, meaning they have an animal-human connections," explains Kuchipudi. "They often circulate in wild birds, spill over to domestic poultry and other domestic and wild animals, including dairy cows, and even pets—particularly those that live outdoors."
Understanding how the virus behaves, its potential for cross-species transmission, and the necessary precautions to reduce the threat is critical, he emphasizes.
The current strain of H5N1 virus has been detected in nearly 100 bird species and more than 20 mammalian species, including foxes, skunks, sea lions, minks, dolphins, raccoons, dogs and seals, and has also caused several isolated human infections.
"It is only a matter of time before this virus starts circulating among people," notes Kuchipudi.
"It hasn't happened yet, but we know how quickly that can change with viruses," he adds, referring to COVID-19.
Emerging zoonotic infectious diseases pose a significant global threat, jeopardizing public health, animal health, food security and economic stability. The ongoing H5N1 outbreak has already had severe consequences: millions of poultry have been culled, egg prices have reached record highs, concerns are growing over viral shedding in raw milk, and human infections are on the rise.
"This evolving crisis highlights the urgent need for a coordinated strategy—one that leverages resources, integrates cross-disciplinary solutions and strengthens early detection systems to prevent future outbreaks," says Kuchipudi. To address these challenges, he is launching the One Health Research, Veterinary, Biomedical Innovation and Translation (ORBIT) Center, a transdisciplinary initiative at the University of Pittsburgh dedicated to tackling zoonotic diseases before they escalate.
"ORBIT's mission is driven by our determination to stay ahead of emerging threats like H5N1 by predicting, preventing and preparing for outbreaks through strengthened collective action," says Kuchipudi.
-Clare Collins