Avian Flu discovered in Olmsted County, Rochester veterinarian gives tips to keep pets safe.

ROCHESTER, Minn.- A case of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (H5N1) was discovered in a non-poultry flock in Olmsted County on Jan. 6, Northern Valley Animal Clinic says to prevent further spread, biosecurity is key for county poultry farms and local pet owners. 

The American Veterinary Medical Association says that after the disease made the jump to cattle cases and their severity have gone up in cats. While cases of H5N1 are rare in dogs in the AVMA says infection is possible. 

Dr. Bradley Treder, a veterinarian at Northern Valley, says the best way to reduce the risk in pets is to keep a close eye on them when they're outside and prevent them from consuming any unpasteurized milk or raw meat. Dr. Treder says it's also important to limit exposure to wild birds in general whether that's from a nearby park, or a backyard chicken coop next door.

"There are water fowl that don't all migrate, they are a little bit dinged up, older and they hang around town here. So there may be viruses in some of these birds and they could be spreading. They might be staying locally. So there's not an absolute to say, oh the birds flew south," Dr. Treder said.

Dr. Treder says pet owners and farmers should also be careful to wash themselves and their clothes after contact with a large group of birds, to limit contamination.  Backyard coop owners should also be careful who they allow access to their operation. 

If a pet is exhibiting symptoms like fever, tiredness and low appetite, the AVMA recommends contacting a veterinarian to get them checked out immediately and if it is confirmed to be a positive case isolate them immediately while their body fights the infection.