Avian Influenza Social Media Toolkit | Bird Flu
CDC
Question: I heard that there are house cats dying of H5N1. Should I be concerned?
Answer: Bird flu infection among cats still appears rare, but infections have been fatal. In late 2024, bird flu killed 20 big cats at an animal sanctuary in Shelton, Washington, and at least three house cats have died after drinking raw milk or consuming recalled raw canned cat food. For indoor cats, the best protection is to avoid raw animal products of any kind, including commercially prepared raw meats and raw milk. Outdoor cats face greater risk through contact with infected wild birds or other animals, especially in environments such as farms, ponds where waterfowl gather, or areas with active wild bird outbreaks.
Question: I have created a "catio" (an enclosed patio for cats). Is it safe for my cat to continue to use?
Answer: Several recently infected cats contracted H5N1 from drinking raw milk or eating raw food. Cats may also be infected through close contact with infected animals or contaminated surfaces. If the “catio” is fully enclosed and prevents wild animals from entering, the risk is lower than for free-roaming outdoor cats. Make sure there are no bird feeders or wildlife attractants nearby and keep your cat’s food and water indoors.
Question: My cat is an indoor/outdoor cat and goes on walks or has unsupervised outdoor time. Should I still allow this?
Answer: To reduce risk, consider keeping your cat indoors. If your cat must go outside, try to limit exposure to wild birds, backyard poultry, or waterfowl—known reservoirs of H5N1.
Question: I have a dog and heard that cats are being infected with H5N1. Should I be concerned?
Answer: Dogs, as well as cats, are susceptible to H5N1 infection. Although no dog infections have been reported in the current U.S. outbreak, Canadian health officials documented an H5N1 infection in a pet dog in Oshawa, Ontario, in 2023. The dog became ill after chewing on a dead goose and later died. The circulating 2.3.4.4b clade has infected wild birds, cattle, other mammals, and 66 humans—mostly after exposure to infected animals. To keep your dog safe, avoid feeding raw meat or eggs and keep them away from wild birds. If your dog is off leash near ponds, lakes, or wildlife areas, supervise closely to prevent contact with bird feces or animal remains.
Question: I have a backyard flock/small backyard coop of chickens. Is there anything I should be doing to protect my animals, my family, or myself?
Answer: Be sure to protect your flock/birds from contact with wild birds and rodents . You can do this by covering the tops of chicken coops and securing food and water bins. You can also protect yourself and your family by wearing boot covers, gloves, and even masks when accessing the backyard flock. If you notice birds are dying suddenly and without another known cause, contact your state health agency.
Question: Is it safe to consume eggs I'm offered from local farmers or neighbors with backyard chickens?
Answer: Eggs are safe to consume as long as they are cooked to an internal temperature of 165°F. According to the FDA , this means that both the egg whites and the yellow center should be firm and that scrambled eggs should not be runny. Eggs should be properly cooked when consumed by humans as well as pets. Be sure to wash your hands after handling raw eggs and thoroughly clean any surfaces or utensils that have touched raw eggs.
Question: I hunt wild birds and other animals. Are there any additional precautions I should take?
Answer: In the current outbreak in the US, hunting wildlife has not been associated with any infections, however there are certain precautions you can take to protect yourself and your family from H5N1 circulating in wild animals. H5N1 infections in birds are widespread and have also been observed in wild mammals such as opossums, bears, skunks, and marine wildlife . Foxes are also believed to be susceptible to the virus, and animals that consume birds may be at higher risk of infection. When hunting, avoid touching animals that are already dead. If you find large numbers of dead birds or other wildlife, report this to your state health agency. When handling animals you have hunted, remember that some infected animals may show no symptoms, so always package meat properly and wash your hands after handling carcasses or raw meat.
Question: I have a bird feeder at my house and like to feed local birds at the park. Are there any additional precautions I should take?
Answer: Songbirds, which are most commonly attracted to bird feeders, are much less likely than waterfowl to contract avian influenza and shed less virus, meaning they do not transmit disease easily. Therefore, there is no recommendation to take down bird feeders unless you also keep poultry. It is still important to routinely clean bird feeders and bird baths to reduce the risk of other infections. In contrast, feeding birds directly (such as throwing bread or seeds) at ponds or areas where waterfowl gather may be higher risk, since waterfowl can carry H5N1 and may appear healthy while infected.
The Center for Outbreak Response Innovation is supported through Cooperative Agreement NU38FT000004 between CDC’s Center for Forecasting and Outbreak Analytics and Johns Hopkins University’s Bloomberg School of Public Health.
© 2025 Center for Outbreak Response Innovation. All rights reserved.