In a 1st in India, bird flu detected in domestic cats

PUNE: The first cases of avian influenza virus (H5N1) in domestic cats in India were reported from Chhindwara district in Madhya Pradesh, raising concerns about the bird flu pathogen mutating and infecting humans.
"H5N1 is classically an avian virus, but certain mutations allow it to replicate in mammalian hosts. This adaptability raises concerns because influenza viruses have the potential to trigger pandemics, as seen in past outbreaks like Covid-19," a scientist said. Scientists from ICAR-NIHSAD and Union govt's animal husbandry department have documented the cases this Jan in Chhindwara, which borders Nagpur - where several big cats died of bird flu in Dec last year.

The scientific team identified the virus as belonging to the 2.3.2.1a lineage, a variant of H5N1 that has caused outbreaks in poultry across India. "These cases represent the first documented instances of this particular strain infecting domestic cats in India," the study says.
It found that all infected cats exhibited symptoms such as high fever, loss of appetite, and lethargy before succumbing to the illness within one to three days after sample collection. The study identified 27 mutations in the virus found in cats. Scientists called for enhanced surveillance in domestic poultry, wild birds, and mammals, including pets and humans, given the virus's ability to jump between species.
"Although human infections have been rare, we must anticipate the virus adapting to efficient transmission to and between humans. Human-to-human transmission is still not efficient, but ongoing changes in the virus signal to us to stay vigilant and prepared even for a pandemic," virologist Jacob John said. On the virus's potential to cause a global outbreak, John cautioned: "H5N1 is new for humans. We do not have immunity against it. If human-to-human transmission becomes efficient, as an extension of the present pattern of mammalian transmission, it is going to be a concern."