Bird Flu Is Infecting Pet Cats. Here’s What You Need to Know

As bird flu spreads in cats, cows and other animals, it has more opportunity to adapt to easily infect humans

For two and a half years, a deadly strain of avian influenza often referred to as H5N1 has been ravaging poultry farms. More than 100 million birds have been killed in the U.S., either by the diseases or attempts to halt its spread. Wild birds have also been dying in enormous numbers. In late March scientists confirmed that H5N1 was sickening cows on U.S. dairy farms; nearly 200 herds in 13 states were affected as of August 15. Confirmed cases in people have been much scarcer: only 13 human cases were reported from April to August 9, and they have mostly involved mild illness, particularly characterized by pink eye. It is likely that infections in people have been missed, however.

Now the virus is being found in indoor pet cats. The Colorado Department of Public Health announced on August 9 that six cat infections in the state have been confirmed this year. Two of those detections were in samples collected in May, but at least three were in samples collected in July. What’s particularly worrying about the new announcement is that two of the infected cats were indoor animals. Scientists say this is a sign that the virus is widespread in animals and inching closer to touching the average American’s daily life.

Read More at: scientificamerican.com