Bird Flu Virus

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Bird Flu Virus and Domestic Cats

Bird Flu Virus, or Avian Influenza, can sicken cats who eat infected poultry. Cats also develop symptoms when housed with already infected cats.
Reported Bird Flu Symptoms
Feline bird flu symptoms include fever, labored breathing, lethargy and other signs of severe lung disease. The human symptoms of sore throats and muscle aches cannot be verified in cats.

So far, domestic cats in North America are not considered at risk.

Deaths among farm cats have been noted in Thailand and other countries in Asia where the disease is prevalent.

This prompted a study last year to determine if cats could have played a role in the rapid spread of avian influenza between locations there.

Thijs Kuiken, the lead veterinary pathologist for the study at Rotterdam's Erasmus Medical Center states, "The novelty in our study is that H5N1 virus causes disease and can be fatal in cats. In most previous experimental studies, influenza virus infection did not cause clinical signs or death in cats."

Based on this study, Kuiken says, "The role of cats in the spread of H5N1 virus between poultry farms, and from poultry to humans, needs to be reassessed."

He feels in areas where H5N1 virus is active, cats who have contact with infected poultry and their feces, should be considered a possible source of infection for humans. This is also true of cats who have been fed infected poultry.

Avian Influenza Type A (H5N1)
A Special Concern for WHO
Dr. Shigeru Omi, the Western and Pacific Rim Director of the World Health Organization, warned public health officials in December of 2004, "A pandemic is very likely to occur and we think that it could spread to most of the world within weeks."
H5N1 is so dangerous because:
1. It mutates rapidly and quickly takes on genes from viruses infecting other species.
2. Documented cases of severe human disease have already occurred.
3. Laboratory studies suggest it can become even more virulent as it spreads.
4. Expected resistance to available drug treatments.

Only four drugs are currently approved by the FDA for the treatment of influenza. Some strains of H5N1 viruses found in humans and chickens across Asia in 2004 already appear to be resistant to two of these medications.

Keep Cats Away from Domestic Ducks
A joint statement just issued by the World Health Organization, the Food and Animal Organization (FAO) and The World Organization for Animal Health warns that domestic ducks may be providing a "silent reservoir" for Asian Bird Flu that could help the deadly virus spread.
While wild waterfowl have long been known carriers of various influenza viruses, up until now domestic ducks were considered resistant. A new study has shown that even while they show no signs of illness, healthy-looking domestic ducks shed the virus at rates as high as infected chickens.

This means that pet ducks as well as backyard mixed poultry flocks could become health risks to house cats and their human companions if Avian Influenza type A (H5N1) spreads as expected.

We are monitoring this situation and will post updates as they become available.

Check back for information regarding precautions cat owners can take if an outbreak of bird flu occurs in your area.

Kay Marmaduke
The O'Cayce Company
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