2 House Cats Infected With Bird Flu In NYC: Health Officials

NEW YORK CITY — Two cats in separate households in New York City were infected with bird flu, city health officials announced on Friday.

“In collaboration with local, state, and federal animal health officials, the New York City Health Department is investigating how two separate cats were infected with H5 avian influenza, the virus that causes bird flu," Acting Commissioner of the New York City Health Department Dr. Michelle Morse said in a statement.

Pet owners are reminded not to feed their pets raw food or raw milk. Additionally, pet owners should prevent cats from roaming outdoors where they may come in contact with wild birds or other animals, officials said.

Bird flu in cats has been confirmed elsewhere in the United States.

"The current risk to New Yorkers of bird flu remains low. Bird flu viruses present a wider risk to the public only if the virus develops the ability to transmit between people — which we have not seen," Morse added.

Last month, all live poultry markets in New York City were temporarily shut down by Gov. Kathy Hochul after cases of bird flu were discovered, Patch previously reported.

Seven cases in total were discovered after inspections at live markets in The Bronx, Brooklyn and Queens, according to Hochul.

The shut-down order for live bird markets lasted through Feb. 14.