Outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza a(H5N1) among house cats: A case series involving oseltamivir treatment

Abstract

We present a highly pathogenic avian influenza A(H5N1) outbreak among four domestic cats from the same household within close proximity to a dairy farm in Tulare, California – the epicenter of the H5N1 dairy cattle outbreaks in California, USA. We demonstrate that with early supportive care and treatment with oseltamivir, H5N1 is survivable in domestic cats, and that survivor cats may maintain high titers of neutralizing antibodies against H5N1 at least 3–4 months post recovery.