New Jersey’s first case of bird flu in a cat has been confirmed in a feral cat in Hunterdon County, the state Department of Health announced Friday. The cat had developed severe disease, including neurologic signs,

The first case of the bird flu in a New Jersey cat was confirmed Friday by public health officials, who said the feline had to be humanely euthanized. A feral cat in Hunterdon County was found to have a case of H5 Highly Pathogenic Avian Flu — commonly called “bird flu” — by the United States Department of Agriculture National Veterinary Service,

The two indoor cats with confirmed cases of avian flu are in Snohomish and King counties. One has been euthanized due to the severity of the illness.