Dhakal Janak, Bhat Sushant, James Joe, Otwey Richard Y, Chapagain Sandesh, Singh Parminder
Department of Agriculture, Food and Resource Sciences, University of Maryland Eastern Shore, Princess Anne 21853 MD, USA.
Virology Department, Animal and Plant Health Agency, Woodham Lane, Addlestone KT15 3NB, UK.
J Food Prot. 2025 Sep 26;88(11):100628. doi: 10.1016/j.jfp.2025.100628.
The increasing popularity of raw meat-based diets (RMBDs) and raw milk feeding in companion animals presents a growing concern for zoonotic disease transmission. Recent evidence has demonstrated that these products can serve as vehicles for highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1, an emergent viral threat with a host range from birds, dairy cattle, and pets to humans. Since the emergence of clade 2.3.4.4b in 2020, HPAI H5N1 has caused widespread outbreaks in poultry, wild birds, and mammals, including dairy cattle and cats. Transmission to pets has been linked to ingestion of contaminated raw pet food and unpasteurized milk. Notably, multiple outbreaks in cats across Europe, Asia, and North America have been associated with raw pet food products, while recent U.S. cases confirm direct viral transmission from infected pet food, raw milk, and colostrum. Experimental studies have also supported the plausibility of gastrointestinal and respiratory routes of infection in cats and dogs, with felines appearing particularly susceptible, often exhibiting severe clinical disease and high mortality. A number of documented recalls of H5N1-contaminated raw pet food and raw milk in the US underscore the persistence of infectious viruses in cold-stored food products and highlight the risks of feeding raw diets. Although pet-to-human transmission of the HPAI H5N1 virus has not been reported yet, cat-to-human transmission of the H7N2 influenza virus has been reported in the USA. This review presents current evidence on H5N1 in RMBDs and raw milk, its epidemiology in companion animals, outbreaks, and the health implications among pets and humans. By raising awareness among pet owners, industry stakeholders, and veterinarians, this paper highlights the immediate need for stringent surveillance and improved biosecurity in raw food supply chains to minimize viral transmission risks, thereby safeguarding pet health and curb the potential spillover to humans.
生肉饮食（RMBDs）和给伴侣动物喂食生牛奶的做法越来越普遍，这引发了人们对人畜共患病传播的日益担忧。最近的证据表明，这些产品可能成为高致病性禽流感（HPAI）H5N1病毒的传播媒介，这是一种新出现的病毒威胁，其宿主范围包括鸟类、奶牛和宠物，甚至人类。自2020年2.3.4.4b分支出现以来，HPAI H5N1已在家禽、野鸟和哺乳动物（包括奶牛和猫）中引发广泛疫情。宠物感染与摄入受污染的生宠物食品和未杀菌牛奶有关。值得注意的是，欧洲、亚洲和北美的多起猫类疫情都与生宠物食品有关，而美国最近的病例证实了病毒可从受感染的宠物食品、生牛奶和初乳直接传播。实验研究也支持了猫和狗通过胃肠道和呼吸道感染的可能性，猫科动物似乎特别易感，常表现出严重的临床疾病和高死亡率。美国多次召回受H5N1污染的生宠物食品和生牛奶，这凸显了传染性病毒在冷藏食品中的持续性，并突出了喂食生食的风险。尽管尚未有HPAI H5N1病毒从宠物传播给人类的报告，但美国已有H7N2流感病毒从猫传播给人类的报告。本综述介绍了关于生肉饮食和生牛奶中H5N1的现有证据、其在伴侣动物中的流行病学、疫情以及对宠物和人类健康的影响。通过提高宠物主人、行业利益相关者和兽医的认识，本文强调了迫切需要在生食供应链中进行严格监测并加强生物安全措施，以尽量降低病毒传播风险，从而保障宠物健康并遏制可能向人类的溢出。
