New Jersey cat euthanized after contracting chicken flu in first recognized feline case in state

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New Jersey cat euthanized after contracting chicken flu in first recognized feline case in state


The primary case of the chicken flu in a New Jersey cat was confirmed Friday by public well being officers, who mentioned the feline needed to be humanely euthanized.

A feral cat in Hunterdon County was discovered to have a case of H5 Extremely Pathogenic Avian Flu — generally referred to as “chicken flu” — by america Division of Agriculture Nationwide Veterinary Service, the New Jersey Division of Well being mentioned in a press launch.

The cat developed “extreme illness,” expressing indicators of compromised neurology, and was euthanized, the well being division mentioned.

A feral cat needed to be euthanized after officers say it was discovered to be contaminated with avian flu and expressing neurological issues. Stacey Axelrod/ASPCA

An investigation is underway into how the cat contracted the virus, however officers say they believe the animal was contaminated by way of contact with wild birds.

Chook flu is usually lethal for cats, who’re additionally recognized to contract the virus by way of consumption of contaminated uncooked milk or meat, or by way of contact with contaminated clothes. 

The virus has been plaguing farms throughout the US — with over 166 million birds affected by this spherical of the illness since its onset in 2022, in keeping with the Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention.

“The H5N1 virus has the flexibility to maneuver from one species to a different,” Ed Wengryn, New Jersey Agriculture Secretary mentioned. “That’s the reason we’ve got labored carefully with our poultry and dairy industries on biosecurity measures to forestall publicity by wild animals, and feral cats are one other instance of the dangers to livestock and people.”

Officers consider that the feral cat doubtless contracted the virus by way of contact with a wild chicken. REUTERS

Avian flu is presently a really low public well being menace to human beings in New Jersey, although an outbreak has been plaguing American farms.

At the very least 657 counties have been affected by over 1,600 outbreaks of the virus that infects wild aquatic birds, industrial poultry, and yard farming hobbyists, in keeping with knowledge from the CDC.

A map of counties in america which have reported outbreaks of avian flu since 2022. CDC.gov

There have been reported outbreaks in Bergen, Monmouth, Ocean, Union and Warren counties within the Backyard State since 2022 — with the largest outbreak reported earlier this week at a reside chicken market in Union.

Cows have additionally been affected, with 976 dairy herds confirmed to have contracted the illness since 2022.


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