Bird Flu (Avian Influenza) Information for Veterinarians

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Page originally published 2/21/2025. Last updated 10/3/2025.

In 2024, bird flu (H5N1) was detected in dairy cows in the United States. Dairies in California became affected in late summer 2024. Bird flu infections have also been detected in mammals, including domestic cats.

Guidance

The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) encourages veterinarians and veterinary staff to:

• Use personal protective equipment (PPE) when handling animals, animal bodily fluids, or contaminated surfaces and water suspected or known to have bird flu, including 
  • National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) approved respirators (N-95), 
  • Disposable gloves, 
  • Safety goggles or a face shield, and 
  • Disposable or reusable gowns.
• Isolate suspected cases and limit the number of staff members that come in contact with these animals.
• Avoid direct, unprotected contact with animals suspected or known to have bird flu, including carcasses, raw milk or meat, animal waste, or contaminated surfaces and water.
• Discourage clients from feeding raw (unpasteurized) milk/dairy products, raw meat, and other raw foods to pets.
• Consider bird flu infection in any cat that consumed raw dairy products, raw pet food, or wild birds, especially if it presents with neurologic signs such as seizures, acute ataxia, nystagmus or cortical blindness. 
• Pursue influenza A testing through your usual commercial veterinary diagnostic laboratory.
  • Contact the Epidemiology Unit (619) 692-8499 regarding the following:
    • Any pets that become ill following exposure to poultry, dairy cattle, or wildlife suspected of being infected with the flu
    • Any suspect cases
    • Additional guidance on testing
  •  Consider rabies testing for any animal that presents with neurologic signs.
• Use appropriate disinfection for areas and equipment used to examine suspect cases.
• For more information, visit:
  • What Veterinarians Need to Know about Bird Flu (CDPH)
  • Managing Cats and Captive Wild Animals Exposed to Bird Flu (H5N1) (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
  • H5N1 Contamination in Certain Lots of RAWR Raw Cat Food Chicken Eats (U.S. Food and Drug Administration)

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Resources

• Bird flu in livestock or poultry or to report suspected cases, contact the California Department of Food and Agriculture.
• Bird flu detections nationwide, visit USDA-APHIS's website. ​
• The surveillance, investigation, response, and prevention of zoonotic disease outbreaks in San Diego, visit the One Health Epidemiology Program (OHEP).
  • 2/14/2025 Newsletter
• Sign up to receive OHEP health alerts and announcements.

To report suspected cases of bird flu in wildlife, contact the California Department of Fish and Wildlife.

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Call the Epidemiology Unit at (619) 692-8499, or send an email, for more information.