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Published: May 22, 2025
Read Time: 1.4 Mins
Total Views: 263
Inside Bird Flu: Human Flu Declines, But Cat Flu Rises—How to Keep Pets Safe
In this episode of Thermometer HQ, Inside Bird Flu, Dr. Jay Varma and Dr. Jon Epstein look at a surprising—and important—public health topic: flu in cats.
While the good news is that seasonal human flu is on the decline in the U.S., with CDC data showing falling outpatient visits and hospitalizations, there’s a worrying trend on the animal health front: more cats around the world are getting infected with flu viruses, including highly pathogenic avian influenza (H5N1).
This episode breaks down:
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Why seasonal flu cases in humans are dropping and what surveillance data shows.
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Emerging risks for cats, especially infections with avian influenza strains that can cause severe illness or death.
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What pet owners need to know about keeping their cats safe, including avoiding contact with infected birds or wildlife.
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The broader public health context, including the potential (though rare) risks to humans and the importance of One Health approaches that integrate human, animal, and environmental health.
Dr. Varma and Dr. Epstein emphasize practical prevention tips while explaining the science behind these trends, making this episode essential viewing for pet owners and anyone interested in infectious disease surveillance.
Watch the full discussion to learn how to protect your pets—and yourself—in a changing infectious disease landscape.
