Molecular Surveillance Finds No Influenza A Infection in Domestic Cats in Dhaka

Influenza A virus (IAV) is a zoonotic pathogen with a broad host range, including birds, humans, and various mammalian species. Domestic cats have been documented as incidental hosts, particularly in regions with ongoing avian influenza outbreaks. Cats are important companion animals in Dhaka, Bangladesh; however, data on IAV infection in this population are limited. This study aimed to investigate the presence of IAV in domestic cats in Dhaka through molecular surveillance. A total of 50 nasal swab samples were collected from domestic cats with mild respiratory signs presented from different areas of Dhaka city. Samples were tested for IAV using real-time reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) targeting the matrix (M) gene. All 50 samples tested negative for IAV. No evidence of IAV infection was found within the sampled population, suggesting low or no detectable zoonotic risk from domestic cats during the study period. These findings provide baseline data on IAV surveillance in domestic cats in Dhaka. However, given the limited sample size and sampling period, larger longitudinal surveillance studies are warranted to better assess the potential for IAV spillover in high-risk settings.