Updates
- ODA continues to receive calls and has investigated many cases of pets with high-risk exposures and/or clinical signs consistent with possible highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) (see below: What to Watch For).
- Two cats have tested positive since December 1, 2024. One cat with exposure to commercially prepared raw pet food that had neurological signs (incoordination, vision changes, unable to open third eyelid), lethargy, and inappetence, and one cat with exposure to wild waterfowl (ducks & geese) that had pyrexia, ocular and nasal discharge, lethargy, increased respiratory rate and effort, and inappetence (see Announcement).
- HPAI infections in mammals seem to be dose-dependent and in some cases with minimal exposures, clinical signs may be mild to moderate, and patients may recover. Infected mammals may not shed virus that can be detected by oral-pharyngeal swab testing antemortem; postmortem testing is available for suspect cases that do not recover.
What to Watch For
Be prepared to identify potential cases of HPAI in pets. The ODA website has updated information for pet owners and veterinarians – these pages will continue to be updated when possible and when new information becomes available.
HPAI should be considered as a rule-out in cases with:
- Acute to per-acute neurological signs (including seizures, nystagmus, or blindness)
- Acute respiratory distress that cannot be clearly explained by another disease process
- Known risk factors (exposure to or consumption of: sick poultry, wild waterfowl or other wild birds/wildlife or their environment; raw cow’s milk or colostrum; or raw meat or raw pet food/treats, including freeze-dried) and clinical signs such as fever, lethargy, and inappetence
How to Test for HPAI in Pets
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Testing for HPAI is available at no charge to veterinarians or owners. When a suspect case is identified, contact ODA (503-986-4711) to report and provide case information so that a sample can be submitted if appropriate—ODA staff will help coordinate getting sampling (and, if needed, shipping) supplies to you.
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Specific sampling supplies are needed to test for HPAI and the Oregon Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory (ODVL) at Oregon State University is the only laboratory in the state able to run the appropriate test. Most veterinary clinics do not keep the necessary sampling supplies and transport media on-hand (synthetic swabs on plastic shafts; Brain Heart Infusion (BHI) transport medium). ODA will provide a sampling kit to test reported cases for HPAI
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For hospitals that see a lot of urgent care and emergency cases: ODA will provide sampling and personal protective equipment (PPE) kits to have in stock at your hospital. Kits may be requested online at https://oda.fyi/HPAIKitRequest. Cases identified for testing still need to be reported to ODA for laboratory submission (see above).
How to Protect Staff, Clients, and Pets
Because of the zoonotic potential of this virus, precautions should be taken to protect veterinary staff with any patient where HPAI is suspected.
Remember: Veterinarians must immediately report any suspected cases of influenza in any domestic animal to the Oregon Department of Agriculture at (503) 986-4711
Contact
Ryan Scholz, DVM MPH
Oregon State Veterinarian
statevet@oda.oregon.gov
Disease Reporting Hotline: 503-986-4711
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