In a first in India, bird flu detected in domestic cats

The first cases of avian influenza virus (H5N1) in domestic cats in India have been reported in Madhya Pradesh’s Chhindwara. This raises concerns about the virus’s potential to mutate and infect humans. Scientists identified a specific strain and noted 27 mutations in the infected cats. This occurrence calls for enhanced surveillance in poultry, wild birds, mammals, and humans, due to potential human-to-human transmission.

​The first cases of avian influenza virus (H5N1) in domestic cats in India have been reported in Madhya Pradesh’s Chhindwara. This raises concerns about the virus’s potential to mutate and infect humans. Scientists identified a specific strain and noted 27 mutations in the infected cats. This occurrence calls for enhanced surveillance in poultry, wild birds, mammals, and humans, due to potential human-to-human transmission.