The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship (IDALS) is urging pet owners to keep their cats and dogs away from sick or deceased wildlife amid a resurgence of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) in wild and migratory birds across the state. HPAI has been detected in mammals, including cats and dogs. Recent cases in Iowa include a Hamilton County outdoor cat that tested positive for the virus. The disease is often linked to contact with infected wildlife or the consumption of raw or undercooked pet food. Iowans are advised to prevent pets from hunting or consuming wildlife, avoid feeding raw or freeze-dried pet food, and maintain separation between pets and livestock, including poultry. Cats and dogs with symptoms such as fever, lethargy, loss of appetite, or neurological signs should be evaluated by a veterinarian. Officials continue to stress that eggs, poultry, and pasteurized dairy products remain safe for consumption when properly handled and cooked. Public health risks to humans remain low, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
