What is Cats Bird Flu
Cats’ bird flu, also known as avian influenza in cats, is a highly contagious respiratory illness caused by a virus called H5N1. This virus is highly pathogenic, meaning that it can cause severe illness and death in cats.
Cats can get bird flu by coming into contact with infected birds or poultry, or by eating infected meat. Additionally, coming into touch with infected things or surfaces might transmit the infection.
Symptoms of bird flu in cats can include:
- Fever
- Coughing
- Sneezing
- Runny nose
- Lethargy
- Loss of appetite
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Difficulty breathing
- Seizures
If you think your cat may have bird flu, it is important to take them to the vet immediately. There is no specific treatment for bird flu in cats, but supportive care can help to manage the symptoms and improve the chances of survival.
There are a few things you can do to help protect your cat from bird flu:
- Keep your cat indoors.
- Avoid contact with wild birds or poultry.
- Wash your hands thoroughly after handling wild birds or poultry.
- Clean and disinfect any areas where your cat has been in contact with wild birds or poultry.
If you live in an area where bird flu is a concern, you can talk to your vet about getting your cat vaccinated against the virus.
Vaccination is the best way to protect your cat from bird flu. However, even if your cat is vaccinated, they can still get sick. If your cat does get sick, it is important to seek veterinary care immediately.
Here are some additional tips to help protect your cat from bird flu:
- Do not feed your cat raw or undercooked poultry.
- Do not allow your cat to roam freely outdoors.
- If you have wild birds visiting your feeders, clean them regularly and dispose of any droppings.
- If you find a dead bird, do not touch it and contact your local wildlife authority.
By following these tips, you can help to keep your cat safe from this potentially deadly virus.
Bird Flu Confirmed in 20 Cats in Poland
According to the Chief Veterinary Office in Poland, 20 of the 29 avian influenza A(H5N1) samples examined originated from cats in the following cities: Gdask, Gdynia, Pozna, Lublin, Pruszcz Gdaski, Nowy Dwór Mazowiecki, Bydgoszcz, Wrocaw, the Rzeszów neighborhood, and the area around Zamo.
These illnesses were documented as of June 30, 2023, by Poland’s State Veterinary Institute in Puawy. A group of researchers from the Warsaw University of Life Sciences Faculty of Veterinary Medicine analyzed one of the samples.
According to the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), at least 70 domestic cat fatalities in Poland have been mentioned in the media since June 23, 2023, for which investigations are still underway.
There are now several unknowns, including the origin of the infection, the likelihood of transmission of the specific A(H5N1) influenza virus strain from cat to cat and cat to human, and the severity of the illness.
The ECDC noted that no human cases associated with this (cat) incident have been documented in Poland.
On June 30, 2023, the U.S. CDC released an updated report that included details on further occasional human cases as well as activity in wild birds, poultry, and other animals.
According to the CDC, the overall danger to public health posed by the continuing outbreaks of highly pathogenic A(H5N1) viruses in wild birds and poultry has not altered and is still minimal.
Worldwide outbreaks of bird flu have been confirmed.
54 nations reported bird flu outbreaks to the World Health Organization between 2021 and June 2023, according to the CDC FluView dashboard.
