In experimentally infected cats, signs were seen as early as 2 days after inoculation. In a single report describing a naturally infected cat, signs were observed 5 days after the cat ate the carcass of an infected pigeon.

Transmission of influenza viruses depends on exposure to the virus and adaptation by the virus to the new host. Transmission of H5N1 highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) virus from humans to animals (including cats, dogs, and birds) has not been documented, but may be theoretically possible under certain circumstances.

Certain mammalian species are known to be susceptible to infection with the H5N1 highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) virus, including pigs. Because the rate of infection for this virus in pigs is very low, and because the H5N1 HPAI virus has not yet been found in North America, pot-bellied pigs are not considered to be reservoirs for the virus and should not spread H5N1 HPAI.

Based on the very limited information available and extrapolating from other species, it is possible that H5N1 highly pathogenic avian influenza in dogs could appear as respiratory, intestinal, reproductive, or neurologic disease.

Influenza A (H5N1) virus – also called “H5N1 virus” – is an influenza A virus subtype that occurs mainly in birds. It was first isolated from birds (terns) in South Africa in 1961. Like all bird flu viruses, H5N1 virus circulates among birds worldwide, is very contagious among birds, and can be deadly.

While there are powers under the Animal Health Act 1981 which allow us to kill wild birds, there is no intention to use these powers at present. The control of avian influenza infection in wild bird populations is not feasible - from a logistical, environmental and biodiversity point of view. Indiscriminate culling of wild migratory bird populations would be ineffective in preventing further spread of avian influenza and their hunting would likely cause dispersion of the birds.

The high pathogenic Asian H5N1 strain is a particularly virulent strain of avian flu that was first detected in Southeast Asia in 1997.

To date, transmission from domestic poultry, through contact with infected birds, contaminated surfaces or feces, is the most prevalent way this H5N1 strain of avian flu virus has caused human infection. One single incident of wild bird to human transmission has been recorded as described above.

To date, the high pathogenic H5N1 strain of avian flu has not been detected in North America. An extensive government surveillance system has been established to detect its arrival should it occur. The World Organization for Animal Health and The World Health Organization maintain web pages devoted to reporting all laboratory confirmed cases of the H5 strains of avian flu in animals and humans based on location.

It is very unlikely. To date, there is one reported incident of a human contracting AI from very close contact with (defeathering) a dead wild swan; all other incidents of human infection have resulted from exposure to infected domestic poultry, including domestic waterfowl. Whether other species of birds can transmit H5N1 highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) to humans is not known.

There is no evidence to date that cats can spread H5N1 to humans. No cases of avian influenza in humans have been linked to exposure to sick cats, and no outbreaks among populations of cats have been reported. All of the influenza A (H5N1) infections in cats reported to date appear to have been associated with outbreaks in domestic or wild birds and acquired through ingestion of raw infected meat.

Wild bird monitoring: The U.S. government, working with the state and regional Flyway Councils, has an extensive program of monitoring migratory wild birds to spot Asian bird flu before it reaches commercial flocks. Thousands of samples are being taken in Alaska, where it is believed that migratory North American birds may commingle with birds that spend their winters in Asia.

Although H5N1 probably poses the greatest current pandemic threat, other avian influenzas have also infected people in recent years. For example, in 1999, human H9N2 infections were identified in Hong Kong; in 2002 and 2003, human H7N7 infections occurred in the Netherlands and human H7N3 infections occurred in Canada. These viruses also have the potential to give rise to the next pandemic.

To date, transmission from domestic poultry, through contact with infected birds, contaminated surfaces or feces, is the most prevalent way this Asian H5N1 strain of avian flu virus has caused human infection. One single incident of wild bird to human transmission has been recorded as described in the above.

The available evidence supports the contention that migrating birds are responsible for part of the spread of the highly pathogenic Asian H5N1 strain of avian flu. However, the illegal movement and trade of poultry has also been implicated in the dispersal of the virus and seen by most authorities as the most serious threat to spread the disease.

To date (10/01/07), the high pathogenic Asian H5N1 strain of avian flu has not been detected in North America. An extensive government surveillance system has been established to detect its arrival should it occur. The World Organization for Animal Health and The World Health Organization maintain Web pages devoted to reporting all laboratory confirmed cases of the H5 strains of avian flu in humans and animals based on location.

The available evidence supports the contention that migrating birds are responsible for part of the spread of the high pathogenic Asian H5N1 strain of avian flu. However, the illegal movement and trade of poultry has also been implicated in the dispersal of the virus and seen by most authorities as the most serious threat to spread the disease.

Yes; however, transmission of H5N1 highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) to humans is rare. Currently, the risk of contracting avian influenza (AI) for anyone who does not have close contact with infected birds is very low. Since H5N1 HPAI hasn't yet been identified in the United States, the risk of contracting AI in this country is almost nonexistent.

All of the cases of bird flu infection in domestic cats reported to date have been associated with outbreaks among domestic poultry or wild birds and are thought to have occurred by the cat eating raw infected birds.

Highly pathogenic avian influenza is a highly contagious viral infection that can affect all species of birds. The viruses that cause avian influenza are Influenza A viruses of the family Orthomyxoviridae. Avian influenza viruses are present worldwide, and numerous 'subtypes' and 'strains' exist. Highly pathogenic subtypes arise by re-assortment and recombination of the genetic material between different strains.

There are many unanswered questions regarding the role of migratory birds in spreading highly pathogenic avian flu. Wild waterfowl have probably carried influenza A viruses, with no apparent harm, for centuries. They are known to carry viruses of the H5 and H7 subtypes, but usually of the low pathogenic form. Considerable evidence suggest that migratory birds can introduce to poultry low pathogenic H5 and H7 viruses, which then mutate to the highly pathogenic form.

the present time, the risk of becoming infected with H5N1 virus from bird feeders is low. Generally, perching birds (Passeriformes) are the predominate type of birds at feeders. While there are documented cases of H5N1 causing death in some Passeriformes (e.g., house sparrow, Eurasian tree-sparrow, house finch), most of the wild birds that are traditionally associated with avian influenza viruses are waterfowl and shore birds.

Although cats are not usually susceptible to influenza type A infections, results of a research study published in September 20041 demonstrated that domestic cats can become infected with the H5N1 highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) virus and are capable of transmitting the virus to other cats. In February 2006, authorities in Germany reported that a domestic cat had died from H5N1 HPAI infection.

Although H5N1 probably poses the greatest current pandemic threat, other avian influenzas have also infected people in recent years. For example, in 1999, human H9N2 infections were identified in Hong Kong; in 2002 and 2003, human H7N7 infections occurred in the Netherlands and human H7N3 infections occurred in Canada. These viruses also have the potential to give rise to the next pandemic.

To date, the high pathogenic H5N1 strain of the avian flu virus has resulted in the deaths of millions of domestic birds. Despite the millions of people who have had close contact with domestic fowl during the past 10 years in Asia, just over 325 people have been infected worldwide. This is an extremely low rate of infection. However, human health officials are concerned with the greater than 50 percent mortality rate of people that have been infected.

Right now, the H5N1 virus is the greatest threat for pandemic. However, other strains of bird flu have also infected people in recent years and have the potential to cause to a pandemic.