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Study warns cats could be bird flu carriers
A new study warns that pet cats could become new unpredictable carriers of the H5N1 bird flu virus, potentially creating opportunities for it to become more dangerous. Avian influenza, which began spreading in dairy cattle earlier this year, has killed many cats, mainly on farms where the herds were infected. It has also sickened at least 60 people, most of whom had direct contact with infected dairy cows or chickens. Read on to know more.
The H5N1 virus, which began spreading earlier this year, has killed many cats living on farms where the herds were infected.
Bird flu is usually associated with poultry, wild birds and now even humans. However, scientists are now warning that cats could potentially create a public health crisis by spreading H5N1 avian influenza.
According to a new study published in the journal Emerging Microorganisms and InfectionsDomestic cats may become an unexpected player in the development and transmission of H5N1 bird flu virusPotentially creating opportunities for it to become more dangerous.
The virus, which began spreading in dairy cattle earlier this year, has killed many cats, mainly on farms where herds were infected. It has also sickened at least 60 people, most of whom had direct contact with infected dairy cows or poultryH5N1 does not currently spread easily between humans, but studies suggest only one or two major mutations Could allow it to move between people more easily.
Although there is no evidence that cats have transmitted H5N1 to humans, researchers warn that these pets may still pose a threat.
How are cats spreading the deadly virus?
Scientists say the virus, which began spreading across the United States earlier this year, has killed many cats living on farms where the herds were infected. Bird flu has sickened at least 60 people, most of whom had direct contact with infected dairy cows or chickens.
H5N1 does not currently spread easily between humans, but according to various research, just one or two key mutations could allow it to spread more easily between people. Although there is no evidence that cats have transmitted H5N1 to humans, experts warn that pets may pose a risk of doing so.
According to scientists, if a cat becomes infected with both avian influenza and other seasonal flu viruses at the same time, H5N1 could potentially acquire the mutations needed to spread widely among humans. Cats often interact with both wild animals and people, which can turn them into more evolved carriers of the virus.
USDA to test national milk supply
The US Department of Agriculture recently announced plans to test the national milk supply to find out which dairy herds are infected. Additionally, the media have reported that no other government agency has taken any responsibility for tracking any other animals to date.
Milk testing will begin next week and, as reports say, is designed to reassure farm workers about the safety of their animals and their ability to protect themselves from infection. It should also help authorities track the spread of the virus among herds.
Ten outdoor cats die from bird flu-like symptoms in South Dakota
In the latest study, researchers investigated a case in South Dakota where 10 outdoor cats that were considered pets died after being shown Respiratory and neurological symptomsThe virus isolated from the cats was very similar to the strain found in cattle on a nearby dairy farm.
Scientists believe the cats were infected after eating wild birds that carried the virus from a farm. Since 2022, at least 53 domestic cats across the United States have been infected with H5N1, according to the USDA.
And in addition to cats, the current H5N1 strain has already infected an unusually wide range of species, including birds and mammal species.
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