The U.S. Department of Agriculture has confirmed 130 cases of H5N1 avian influenza, commonly known as bird flu, in domestic cats. The cases are spread across 23 states, including Illinois. Dr. Leyi Wang, a virologist and professor of veterinary medicine at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, recently identified H5N1 in a cat at the university’s Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory. He discussed how cats contract bird flu, what symptoms to look for and precautions pet owners can take...
