Jess Thomson shares research results that identify cats as a reservoir to infect humans with H5N1 from birds or cattle. The researchers identified several key mutations in the H5N1 sequence from infected cats that may suggest adaptation to cats is the potential to jump from cats to humans for the first time.
The ability of the H5N1 virus to persist and adapt in mammalian hosts heightens the risk of evolving into strains with increased transmissibility, posing an emerging zoonotic threat with profound public health implications.”
Source: Newsweek, December 13, 2024. Link. According to the study, there was an outbreak of H5N1 in South Dakota in April 2024, which resulted in 10 cats dying after exhibiting neurological and respiratory symptoms. The virus in the S.D. cats was found to have mutations unique to the cats, demonstrating that the virus is capable of adapting to new hosts.
Also see: Single mutation in H5N1 influenza surface protein could enable easier human infection, IDSE, December 9, 2024. Link. Current strains of the bovine H5N1 virus are not known to be transmissible among people; however, infections have occurred in individuals exposed to infected wild birds, poultry, dairy cows and other mammals.