First bird flu cases confirmed in cats in the Netherlands

NETHERLANDS – Two kittens in the Netherlands have tested positive for highly pathogenic avian influenza (H5N1), marking the country’s first confirmed case of the virus in cats and prompting coordinated action by national veterinary and public health authorities.

The infections were identified on November 19, 2025, after an animal owner reported the unexplained deaths of two two-month-old kittens. Pathological examination revealed abnormal brain lesions, and sequencing confirmed the presence of H5N1. 

The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA) subsequently requested confirmatory testing by Wageningen Bioveterinary Research (WBVR), which validated the results.

The affected kittens were part of a litter born in late August. Six littermates had already been rehomed, and four of these later died or were euthanized after showing neurological symptoms consistent with HPAI, though they were not tested. 

Investigators noted that the mother cat had brought home a wild bird carcass in late October, which the kittens likely consumed. Genome analysis confirmed that the virus belonged to H5N1 genotype DI.2.1 and clustered with strains circulating in wild and captive birds across Europe.

“This is the first time a cat has died from avian influenza in the Netherlands,” said Arjan Stegeman, veterinarian and professor at Utrecht University. “But we’ve seen this happen internationally many times before.”

Tracing the source and assessing the risk

Following the confirmed infections, the NVWA sampled the adult cats at the premises, including the mother, and all tested negative for H5N1. 

The owner also operates a dairy goat farm; all goats appeared healthy, and NVWA testing confirmed they were free of the virus. 

The local municipal health service contacted individuals who had been exposed, none of whom developed symptoms, and the incubation period has passed.

Internationally, H5N1 infections in cats have been reported in Belgium, Poland, France, the United States, and South Korea, often linked to consuming infected birds, raw meat, or contaminated farm products. 

While this Dutch case is the first confirmed clinical infection in a domestic cat, previous research has found H5 antibodies in 11.8% of stray cats and 2.8% of outdoor-access domestic cats sampled between 2020 and 2024, suggesting past exposure without illness. Hunting and domestic dogs have shown similar trends.

According to Stegeman, infection in cats typically leads to severe respiratory and neurological symptoms.

 “If these symptoms appear, it’s unfortunately the end of the story. A cat will quickly die,” he said.

Reporting rules and advice for owners

Since July 2023, laboratories, researchers, and veterinarians have been required to report positive H5/H7 results in mammals to the NVWA. Notably, only confirmed tests, not suspected symptoms, trigger mandatory notification.

Experts advise pet owners to avoid feeding raw meat and to prevent cats from hunting or scavenging wild birds. 

Cats exposed to potentially infected birds should be monitored for fever, respiratory distress, lethargy, eye inflammation, or neurological signs. 

Supportive therapy may help mild cases, but antiviral drugs cannot legally be administered to animals, as they are reserved for human use.

Authorities emphasize that while the risk to humans remains low, vigilance is essential as H5N1 continues to circulate widely in European wild bird populations.

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