For cats who enjoy spending time outside, Feeah says that countries hikes are a good option. She also encourages cat owners to consider building safe cation or fenced and covered outdoor areas so that the animals can still get fresh air and the sensory stimulation from the outside, but without the risk of contact with wildlife and their drops.

Since there is concern that bird flu may also be transmitted to dogs, Faeh recommends keeping dogs on a leash if they are outside as well. The AVMA also advises against feeding raw and undercooked food or treats to dogs.

Faeh says cat owners should seek veterinary attention if they have concerns about their pet’s health. Symptoms of bird flu to look at include the loss of appetite, lethargy, fever, runny nose, running eyes and tremor. If you have a sick pet and make a veterinary appointment, you must inform the clinic if you schedule that you are concerned about bird flu. Your veterinary team can ask you and your pet to wait outside to your appointment, and may take extra precautions in the clinic to prevent the possible spread of the disease.

How to protect pet chickens

Keeping chickens in the backyard has become a popular hobby, including in major cities in the United States, and with the rising price of eggs, it is likely that more and more Americans are starting to hold herds. If they spend time outside, the herds in the backyard run a great risk of catching bird flu at the moment.

For those who consider becoming chicken owners, Faeh first recommends contacting the local health and agriculture departments to discuss the risks of bird flu in the local area before bringing home any chickens. If the risk of infection is high where you live – for example, if outbreaks have been reported in herds in the area, delay it to become an owner.

If you still get chickens, or if you already have a herd in the backyard, there are precautions that you can take, Faeh says. Chickens should not be allowed to wander free in your garden, she says; Instead, keep it in a covered cage or run to prevent exposure to wildlife. Faeh also encourages owners to limit the exposure of their chickens to guests, which can inadvertently bring the disease to the herd.

Symptoms of H5N1 in the backyard can be more difficult to see than in cats, as the birds can quickly die from the disease. It is important to take care of a local veterinarian who practices with chickens, says Faeh. If you notice any disease within your herd, contact your veterinarian immediately. Similarly, if one of your chickens succeeds and you suspect that bird flu is, call your veterinarian and your local public health department.

Owners must also take their own precautions if they handle work, caring and chickens in the backyard. Wash your hands and change your clothes after being involved with your birds, even if it looks with good health, says Faeh. If you have a pet or bird that looks sick, consider masking, she adds.

Although the spread of H5N1 from livestock to humans is scarce, the virus has shown that it can make this leap. Seventy people in the US have been infected since the beginning of the outbreak, and one person has died. However, most human cases have been reported to farm workers working with infected livestock, with most of the transmission found in the dairy industry, where people encounter infected cattle and unpasteurized milk. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says the current risk of human health of H5N1 is low.

But of course, the point of good hygiene to try to prevent the virus from moving in both directions. If you handle sick chickens, you may not catch the virus, but you can pass it on. If you wash your hands and change clothes after spending time with your birds, it is not just to your advantage, but for the protection of other animals that you can come into contact with – perhaps your pets or the people you know. “The risks are much lower for people than cats,” says Faeh. “We will bring it more likely to them than to bring it to us.”