Researchers have discovered a worrying trend that may bring the dangerous bird flu closer to humans: a substantial increase in infections among pet cats and additional feline species as a deadly outbreak of the disease spreads through domestic and wild bird populations worldwide. Bird flu, or avian influenza, has long been a problem for chicken and wild bird populations, but infections in mammals, particularly pets like cats, have generally been uncommon. However, new research suggests that that may be changing quickly. A comprehensive review, which was published on May 7 in Open Forum Infectious Diseases, revealed a rise in bird flu virus infections among animals around the world, both indoors and outdoors, with particular attention to the emerging H5N1 pressure. According to experts, the pattern may indicate an increased risk of the disease jumping from animals to people. Researchers at the University of Maryland analyzed 20 years of scientific information on bird flu in creatures between 2004 and 2024 for the review. More than 300 casualties were reported from more than 600 circumstances spread out over 18 nations. Home cat infections have risen significantly over the past few years, particularly in 2023 and 2024, according to researchers. The evaluation noted that the more cats become H5N1-positive, the more the virus could spread to and from people. We believe that this trend is underreported in the medical literature, and the experts believe that more surveillance of domestic cats is immediately required. 0: 33
Cat meals in B.C. is recalled because of bird flu, which has become more common in domestic animals in the United States. 126 animals have tested positive for the disease since 2022, with about half of those situations occurring in 2024, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Many of the sick animals were exposed to contaminated foods or natural cheese. For instance, two Californian pet animals perished in November 2024 after drinking organic milk that had the virus contaminated it with. Although Canada has not publicly identified any cat bird flu infections, that doesn’t imply that they haven’t occurred, according to Shayan Sharif, a teacher and relate dean with the University of Guelph’s Ontario Veterinary College. In Oshawa, Ontario, there has been at least one confirmed deadly case of avian flu in a dog. Worries about the bacteria’s ability to spread across species have also been documented in Canada in various domestic animals and wild mammals. According to Sharif,” H5N1 is already known to infect animals, home cats, and also other animal species like tigers and mountain cats… either kept in captivity or the crazy.” What we didn’t know was how susceptible cats were to H5N1, particularly this brand-new clade ( 2. 3.4.4b ). It has become clear that home cats are actually prone to H5N1″: 53.
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The researchers were interested in finding out how popular bird flu infections might be in kitten populations because of how tightly cats and humans live together. Nearly two-thirds of all known animal infections were caused by domestic cats, according to the review, and 71 % of those wound up untreated. The more recent H5N1 strain ( clade 2.3.4.4b ), which first appeared in cats in 2022 and has since spread widely, is the main culprit. Additionally, it identified a number of ways that animals can become exposed. The majority of people got the disease by consuming raw foods or infected birds. However, some cats become ill after consuming milk from ill dairy cows. The majority of the feline diseases that were reported in the assessment were based on the consumption of dead birds, animals, and other parrots, as well as contaminated raw chicken feed. However, it’s not just outdoor cat. The Colorado Health Department recently reported two indoor-only local animals without any known exposure to H5N1 genus 2.3.4.4b, according to the experts. This finding raises questions about novel and undiscovered ways that (avian influenza ) can be transmitted to domestic cats, according to the review. In New York City pet shelters, for instance, in 2016, there was an outbreak of avian influenza that affected more than 100 cat. A dermatologist who was close to the respiratory secretions of afflicted animals for extended periods of time and without protection contracted the virus. Sharif noted that the risk of human transmission from animals to humans is very small, but that it’s also crucial to remain vigilant in this outbreak. Unfortunately, he said,” In the case of avian influence, it can be quite devastating in cat.” There are neurological symptoms like spasms and spasms. However, there have also been indications that they could become blind.” He suggests calling your neighborhood veterinarian right away if you think your cat may be having problems. In the interim, the review’s authors urge more surveillance of private dogs to decide how popular the virus is,” to adequately assess the risk of spill to humans and other animals.”
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