Some of NYC's 500,000 stray cats could already be infected with bird flu - and a possible threat to humans: activists
Briefly

from New York Post2 weeks ago
The H5N1 bird flu virus has raised alarm among animal activists in New York City, who warn that the half-million stray cats may be at risk of infection. Although no cases in cats have been confirmed, experts believe contact is imminent, potentially leading to human transmission. There have already been 66 nationwide cases linked to cats consuming infected birds. The city has issued warnings against free-roaming cats and has closed live poultry markets as cases among birds in NYC rise dramatically, with nearly 2,000 birds affected this year alone.
"I do believe at some point, cats are going to pick a bird that's infected. It's just a matter of time," said Regina Massaro, the founder of Spay Neuter Intervention Project NYC.
New York Posthttps://nypost.com/2025/02/21/us-news/some-of-nycs-500000-stray-cats-could-already-be-infected-with-bird-flu-and-a-possible-threat-to-humans-activists/
"where they may hunt wild birds or other animals" and from ingesting raw food that could have been tainted by infected birds.
New York Posthttps://nypost.com/2025/02/21/us-news/some-of-nycs-500000-stray-cats-could-already-be-infected-with-bird-flu-and-a-possible-threat-to-humans-activists/
The surge in cases led Gov. Kathy Hochul to temporarily shut down all live poultry markets in New York City, Long Island and Westchester County.
New York Posthttps://nypost.com/2025/02/21/us-news/some-of-nycs-500000-stray-cats-could-already-be-infected-with-bird-flu-and-a-possible-threat-to-humans-activists/
Read at New York Post
#h5n1 #bird-flu #stray-cats #public-health #new-york-city
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