Emergence and potential transmission route of avian influenza A (H5N1) virus in domestic cats in Poland, June 2023

Rabalski, Lukasz; Milewska, Aleksandra; Pohlmann, Anne; Gackowska, Karolina; Lepionka, Tomasz; Szczepaniak, Klaudiusz; Swiatalska, Agnieszka; Sieminska, Izabela; Arent, Zbigniew; Beer, Martin; Koopmans, Marion; Grzybek, Maciej; Pyrc, Krzysztof

doi:10.2807/1560-7917.es.2023.28.31.2300390

Article Thu Aug 3 2023 CC BY 4.0

refereed

published

Emergence and potential transmission route of avian influenza A (H5N1) virus in domestic cats in Poland, June 2023

Rabalski, Lukasz; Milewska, Aleksandra; Pohlmann, Anne ; Gackowska, Karolina; Lepionka, Tomasz; Szczepaniak, Klaudiusz; Swiatalska, Agnieszka; Sieminska, Izabela; Arent, Zbigniew; Beer, Martin ; Koopmans, Marion; Grzybek, Maciej; Pyrc, Krzysztof

In June 2023, a fatal disease outbreak in cats occurred in Poland. Most cases tested in Poland (29 of 47) were positive for highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) A (H5N1) virus. Genetic analyses revealed clade 2.3.4.4b with point mutations indicative of initial mammalian hosts adaptations. Cat viral sequences were highly similar (n = 21), suggesting a potential common infection source. To investigate possible infection routes, our group tested food samples from affected households. HPAI H5N1 virus was detected in one poultry meat sample.