A examine printed by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) suggests that folks can transmit chicken flu to their home cats, with deadly penalties.
Two family case research from Michigan in May 2024 had been printed within the company’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, as fears develop that the virus might mutate and trigger a human pandemic.
Since then, it has additionally emerged that cats could be contaminated by pet meals contaminated with the virus – and it could actually unfold between “big cat” species in shelters.
Both case research concerned pet homeowners who labored at or close to dairy cattle farms affected by chicken flu and each resulted in deaths of contaminated felines.
In the primary case, a 5-year-old indoor feminine cat quickly developed a lack of urge for food, poor grooming habits, disorientation, lethargy and neurological deterioration.
Her situation worsened shortly, requiring emergency care on the Michigan State University (MSU) Veterinary Medical Center.
Despite intervention, her signs progressed and he or she was euthanized inside 4 days. Post-mortem testing confirmed she had contracted chicken flu.
Two different cats lived in the identical family. One exhibited gentle signs, which the homeowners attributed to allergic reactions they usually ceased communication with public well being officers.
Among the family members, the farmworker declined testing, whereas an grownup and two adolescents examined adverse for chicken flu.
Unpasteurized milk connection
Days later, a second case involving a 6-month-old male Maine Coon was delivered to the college. The cat exhibited signs together with anorexia, lethargy, facial swelling and restricted motion, and died inside 24 hours.
This cat lived with one other feline that remained unaffected.
The Maine Coon’s proprietor frequently transported unpasteurized milk from numerous Michigan farms, together with these confirmed to have contaminated dairy cattle.
The proprietor reported dealing with uncooked milk with out protecting gear, regularly getting splashed within the face, eyes and clothes, and failing to alter work garments earlier than getting into the house.
Notably, the sick cat regularly rolled within the proprietor’s contaminated work garments, whereas the unaffected cat didn’t.
The proprietor additionally skilled eye irritation earlier than the cat fell sick however declined testing for chicken flu.
“Farmworkers are encouraged to consider removing clothing and footwear and to rinse off any animal byproduct residue (including milk and feces) before entering households,” the CDC researchers suggested.
Since the U.S. outbreak started in 2024, 69 human instances of chicken flu have been formally reported within the U.S., although the true quantity could also be considerably greater as a result of restricted testing amongst farm staff. One individual has died.
Experts warn that because the virus continues to flow into broadly amongst mammals and birds, it might finally combine with seasonal influenza, probably mutating right into a pressure able to environment friendly human-to-human transmission.
Newly confirmed U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has stated he desires the federal government to pivot away from infectious illness analysis and forged doubt on whether or not germs truly trigger sickness.
He has additionally for many years questioned the usage of vaccines – seen as key to containing chicken flu if it does change into a pandemic – and has promoted the consumption of uncooked milk, a recognized vector for chicken flu.
Source: www.dailysabah.com