Feb. 6, 2025

For Immediate Release

Redwood City — State veterinary and health officials have confirmed a case of H5N1 (bird flu) in a domestic stray cat in San Mateo County. The infection, which is not related to the recent instance of bird flu in a backyard flock, was found in a stray cat in Half Moon Bay that had been taken in by a family. When it showed symptoms, they took it to Peninsula Humane Society, whose veterinarians examined it and requested testing. Lab results confirmed H5N1. It is not known how the cat was infected and it was euthanized due to its condition.

Cats may be exposed to bird flu by consuming infected birds, being in environments contaminated with the virus and consuming unpasteurized milk from infected cows or raw food. Indoor domestic animals, such as cats and dogs, that go outside are also at risk of infection.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the risk of cats spreading H5N1 to people is extremely low, though it is possible for cats to spread some strains of bird flu to people.

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