Bonilla-Aldana D Katterine, Bonilla-Aldana Jorge Luis, Acosta-España Jaime David, Rodriguez-Morales Alfonso J
College of Medicine, Korea University, Seoul 02841, Republic of Korea.
Grupo de Virologia, Universidad El Bosque, Bogotá 111321, Colombia.
Animals (Basel). 2025 May 16;15(10):1441. doi: 10.3390/ani15101441.
Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1, a zoonotic virus primarily affecting birds, has shown increasing cross-species transmission, including to domestic animals such as cats. Recent reports of cat infections, often associated with contact with infected birds or the consumption of raw milk from H5N1-positive cattle, raise concerns about their role in viral adaptation and zoonotic transmission. To assess the global prevalence and characteristics of H5N1 infections in cats () through a systematic review and meta-analysis. Following PRISMA guidelines, we conducted a systematic search across PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science up to 1 March 2025. Observational studies reporting the prevalence or seroprevalence of H5N1 in cats () were included. Data extraction and quality assessment were performed independently by four reviewers. Meta-analyses were conducted using a random-effects model, and heterogeneity was assessed via I statistics. Twenty-one studies met the inclusion criteria, of which eight were included in the meta-analysis (n = 3586 cats). The pooled global prevalence of infections due to H5N1 influenza was 0.7% (95%CI: 0.3-1.1%), with high heterogeneity (I = 86.5%). The prevalence varied by the diagnostic method, region, cat type, and time. Domestic cats and those in Africa had higher infection rates (20.0% and 32.0%, respectively). Case reports (n = 35) revealed a high mortality (74%), predominantly from clade 2.3.4.4b, with neurological and respiratory manifestations. Although the overall prevalence is low, H5N1 infection in cats is increasing, particularly in clade 2.3.4.4b. Their close contact with humans and other animals highlights the need for enhanced surveillance, diagnostics, and One Health strategies to mitigate zoonotic risks.
高致病性禽流感（HPAI）H5N1是一种主要感染鸟类的人畜共患病毒，已显示出越来越多的跨物种传播，包括传播到家猫等家畜。最近关于猫感染的报道，通常与接触受感染鸟类或食用来自H5N1阳性牛的生奶有关，这引发了人们对其在病毒适应性和人畜共患传播中作用的担忧。通过系统评价和荟萃分析评估猫感染H5N1的全球流行情况和特征。遵循PRISMA指南，我们在截至2025年3月1日的PubMed、Scopus和Web of Science上进行了系统检索。纳入报告猫感染H5N1的患病率或血清阳性率的观察性研究。由四名审稿人独立进行数据提取和质量评估。使用随机效应模型进行荟萃分析，并通过I统计量评估异质性。21项研究符合纳入标准，其中8项纳入荟萃分析（n = 3586只猫）。H5N1流感感染的全球合并患病率为0.7%（95%CI：0.3 - 1.1%），异质性高（I = 86.5%）。患病率因诊断方法、地区、猫的类型和时间而异。家猫和非洲的猫感染率较高（分别为20.0%和32.0%）。病例报告（n = 35）显示死亡率很高（74%），主要来自2.3.4.4b分支，伴有神经和呼吸道表现。尽管总体患病率较低，但猫感染H5N1的情况正在增加，特别是在2.3.4.4b分支。它们与人类和其他动物的密切接触凸显了加强监测、诊断和“同一健康”战略以减轻人畜共患风险的必要性。
