Oregon Cat Euthanized after Testing Positive for Bird Flu

A domestic cat in Washington County recently tested positive for bird flu and had to be euthanized, the Oregon Department of Agriculture said.

The cat roamed outdoors and was around wild ducks and geese, which can carry the virus, the agency said in a statement Friday. It was examined by a veterinarian after it developed a fever, runny nose, showed signs of lethargy and had difficulty breathing.

After the vet diagnosed the cat with pneumonia, it was tested for a virulent strain of bird flu known as H5N1.

Andrea Cantu-Schomus, an agriculture department spokeswoman, told the Capital Chronicle that the cat was so ill that it had to be euthanized.

This is the third cat to die because of bird flu. In 2022, two domestic cats became sick after eating raw food contaminated with the virus.

Domestic and wild cats are particularly susceptible to the virus, including tigers, mountain lions and lynx. Dogs can also contract bird flu though they appear to be less susceptible to it. Cantu-Schomus said state officials have had no reports of bird flu in dogs in Oregon.

They advised cat owners, especially, to protect their pets from H5N1 by not feeding them raw food or treats and keeping them away from wild birds or other wild animals. Owners should also take basic safety precautions like washing hands after touching raw meat or poultry and changing clothes and shoes after interacting with potentially sick animals.

H5N1 is typically spread by wild birds. Oregon officials noticed in October an uptick of cases among migrating birds. Bird flu has spread to poultry operations, affecting 136 million birds,  and nearly 930 dairy herds. It’s also infected a host of other animals, including a pig in Oregon last October. It’s also spread to 67 people, and one person earlier this month died in Louisiana.

In December, Oregon officials started testing the state’s milk supply. The virus is killed by pasteurization.

By Lynne Terry of news partner Oregon Capital Chronicle

Do you have a story for The Advocate? Email editor@corvallisadvocate.com