Almost a month after Poland notified the World Health Organization (WHO) of unusual cat deaths across the country, meanwhile, they were diagnosed with bird flu (H5N1 virus), 11 cats died and 14 others were euthanized, with the last recorded death on June 30. For now, the WHO still does not know the origin of the exposure of cats to the virus and has several investigations underway.
“Sporadic infection of cats with bird flu has been reported before, but this is the first report of a large number of infected cats in a wide geographic area of a country. As of July 12, no human contact with cats has tested positive. for the H5N1 virus has reported symptoms and the surveillance period for all contacts is now complete,” the WHO statement read.
The risk of human infection from contact with infected cats is assessed as low for the general population and “low to moderate” for cat owners and persons occupationally exposed without the use of appropriate personal protective equipment, as may be the case. from the vets. For example.
Last Thursday, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) called on cat and dog owners to keep their pets indoors, in response to the record number of bird flu cases worldwide. Since it first appeared in 1996, the H5N1 virus has been confined to seasonal outbreaks, but “something happened” in mid-2021 and the virus has become much more infectious, according to the WHO department that studies animal flu. .
However, the virus has also been detected in an increasing number of mammals.
“It is recommended to avoid exposing domestic dogs and cats and, in general, carnivorous domestic animals to dead or sick animals. Possible measures include keeping dogs on a leash and locking cats in closed spaces where widespread circulation of the virus has been proven. , reported the (EFSA).
In addition to Poland, five infected dogs and one cat have been registered in Italy in recent weeks. In April, the US began testing several candidate vaccines for their potential use in poultry.
France has recently stated that it hopes to start vaccinating poultry next autumn.
Source: TSF
