A study published on Thursday by the US Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) suggests that people can transmit bird flu to their domestic cats, with fatal consequences.
Two domestic case studies from Michigan published in May 2024 in May 2024 Morbidity and Mortality Weekly ReportAs fear increases, the virus can cause a human epidemic.
Since then, it has also been revealed that cats can be infected with domesticated food contaminated with viruses – and it can spread among the “big cat” species in shelters.
Both case studies consisted of pet owners, who used to work in or near dairy cattle fields affected by bird flu, and both resulted in infected files died.
In the first case, a five -year -old indoor female cat developed a loss of rapid hunger, poor grooming habits, deviation, lethargy and neurological deterioration.
Michigan State University (MSU) Waternary Medical Center worsened quickly for emergency care requirements.
Despite the intervention, its symptoms proceeded, and were euthanized within four days. The postmortem test confirmed that it had contracted bird flu.
Two other cats lived in the same house. One demonstrated mild symptoms, which owners attributed to allergies, and they stopped communication with public health officials.
Among the members of the house, the farm worker refused to test, while an adult and two teenagers conducted a negative test for bird flu.
Unexpected milk connection
A few days later, another case involving six -month -old male main koon was brought to the university. The cat demonstrated symptoms, including anorexia, lethargy, facial swelling and limited movement, and died within 24 hours.
This cat lived with another cat like that remained unaffected.
The owner of the Main cone regularly transported milk from various Michigan farms, including those that were confirmed to infect dairy cattle.
The owner reported to handle raw milk without protective gear, often splash in the face, eyes and clothes, and fails to change the work clothes before entering the house.
In particular, the sick cat often rolled into the owner’s contaminated work dresses, while the unaffected cat was not.
The owner experienced eye irritation even before the cat fell ill but refused to test for bird flu.
CDC researchers advised, “Farmworkers are encouraged to remove clothes and footwear and rinse the sub -product residues of any animal (including milk and stool) before entering homes,” CDC researchers advice Gave.
Since the US outbreak started in 2024, 69 human affairs of bird flu have been officially reported in the US, although the correct number of limited testing among farm workers could be significantly higher. One person has died.
Experts have warned that since the virus is widely transmitted between mammals and birds, it can eventually be found with seasonal influenza, possibly analog in capable stress enabled in efficient human-human-human transmission.
New confirmed US Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Junior has said that he wants the government to get away from infectious disease research and doubt whether germs actually cause disease.
He has questioned the use of vaccines for decades – Bird is seen as a key to be containing flu if it becomes an epidemic – and has promoted the consumption of raw milk, which is one for bird flu Is known vector.
© Agency France-Press
