Work

Cats as sentinels of mammal exposure to H5Nx avian influenza viruses: a seroprevalence study, France, December 2023 to January 2025

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Circulation of clade 2.3.4.4b highly pathogenic avian influenza H5Nx viruses has intensified in recent years, increasing epizootics and mammalian exposure. Cats, bridging wild and domestic environments, are key for studying cross-species transmission. To assess their exposure in France, we screened 728 outdoor cats (December 2023-January 2025). Seropositivity was 2.6% (19/728), with an estimated seroprevalence at 1.8%. Absence of hunting behaviour was a significant protective factor. These findings highlight high recent exposure and the need for targeted surveillance in cats.

Source: Eurosurveillance

DOI: 10.2807/1560-7917.es.2025.30.12.2500189

Authors: Pierre Bessière, Jessie Brun, Brandon Hayes, Amélie Marchand, Laura Lebouteiller, Sébastien-Mathieu Soubies, Marie-Christine Cadiergues, Jean-Luc Guérin

Institutions: École Nationale Vétérinaire de Toulouse, Institut National de Recherche pour l'Agriculture, l'Alimentation et l'Environnement, Interactions hôtes-agents pathogènes, Université de Toulouse

Language: English

Topic: Influenza Virus Research Studies

Subfield: Epidemiology

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: diamond

OpenAlex ID: W4408944154

FWCI: 5.464

Cites: 10

Cited by: 9

Related to: 10