Guest guest Posted March 1, 2006 Report Share Posted March 1, 2006 The discovery of a German cat who died of bird flu - the first mammal found with the H5N1 virus in Central Europe - raises stark questions for pet owners across the world. How easily can avian flu jump from birds to domestic animals? If a pet gets sick, should the owners be worried about their own health? Scientists have known for at least two years that felines could catch the deadly bird flu virus. It was found in 2004 in Thailand in two domestic cats. Big cats who had been fed infected chicken carcasses in a Thai zoo were also killed by H5N1. And last year, wild civet cats died after contracting the virus. Cats tend to go for sick birds, so it is not unexpected if cats catch and kill infected birds Dr Paul Hunter University of East Anglia So the discovery of the dead German cat in an area where dozens of birds had died from H5N1 does not come as a big surprise. Paul Hunter, professor of health protection at the University of East Anglia in the UK, points out that like all predators, felines hunt weaker animals. " Cats tend to go for sick birds, so it is not unexpected if cats catch and kill infected birds, " he told the BBC news website. No alarm The risk of cats getting the H5N1 virus is real. But according Dr Hunter, it is " not huge " . He notes that in affected areas in Asia, where people live in close proximity with poultry, hundreds of thousands of humans have handled infected birds - and yet less than 200 are known to have contracted the virus. QUICK GUIDE Bird flu The H5N1 strain does not jump easily to other species - and this applies to cats as well. " Do not expect large-scale mortality, " Dr Hunter says. How about humans being at risk? Dr Hunter argues that there is little cause for alarm on that count as well. " The risk of your cat getting bird flu from a bird is small, the risk of your getting it from your cat is equally small. A small risk within a small risk is a very small risk, " he says. Poultry could provide the best vehicle for the virus But the issue - both for pets and humans - is whether the H5N1 virus mutates within the host population, making it easy to spread among individuals. This has not happened yet - but if a mutated H5N1 made infection from cat to cat easier, this could be bad news for humans too. According to a 2004 paper by Dutch virologist Thijs Kuiken, cat-to- cat transmission is possible and could provide an " opportunity for this avian flu to adapt to mammals " . But for the time being experts are telling people not to panic. " The thought to hang on to at the moment is the current strains of the virus appear to be really inefficient at infecting non-bird species, " says the head of the British Veterinary Association, Frieda Scott-Park. " And indeed the virus has been circulating throughout large swathes of the world already, and there haven't been numerous deaths from the disease in domestic mammals. " Poultry risk So there is no need for owners to keep their cats indoors. The infected poultry must be disposed of quickly Diana Bell, Biologist But according to Diana Bell, a biologist at the University of East Anglia who has studied the civet infections in Vietnam, there are things humans can do help protect domestic animals. Many of the carnivores who have contracted bird flu so far, she says, have done so by eating poultry rather than wild birds. The danger is that pets, particularly cats, ferret out scraps of infected meat. " The infected poultry must be disposed of quickly so there is no possibility of carnivores having success in digging them up, " she told the BBC News website. The lesson for pet owners is: Don't worry too much - but if you live near an infected poultry farm, make sure the bird carcasses are well out of your pet's reach. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 1, 2006 Report Share Posted March 1, 2006 This is disturbing but consider the context of hysteria we are now entering. As far as I recall cats have always been vulnerable to various forms of flu. Who knows whether this was the first cat to contract this or possibly it is because of the current hysteria that this cat was tested. Maybe there have been other cats who have had this form of flu and recovered. I think that as long as you make sure your cat friends are healthy and not immunosuppressed you should not worry about letting them do " their thing " . I am not denying the existence of bird flu but remember Donald Rumsfeld has shares in the treatment http://money.cnn.com/2005/10/31/news/newsmakers/fortune_rumsfeld/ and I am sure many other powerful lobbies are influencing this problem to their advantage. , " heartwerk " <jo.heartwork wrote: > > The discovery of a German cat who died of bird flu - the first mammal > found with the H5N1 virus in Central Europe - raises stark questions > for pet owners across the world. > > How easily can avian flu jump from birds to domestic animals? If a > pet gets sick, should the owners be worried about their own health? > > Scientists have known for at least two years that felines could catch > the deadly bird flu virus. > > It was found in 2004 in Thailand in two domestic cats. Big cats who > had been fed infected chicken carcasses in a Thai zoo were also > killed by H5N1. > > And last year, wild civet cats died after contracting the virus. > > Cats tend to go for sick birds, so it is not unexpected if cats > catch and kill infected birds > > Dr Paul Hunter > University of East Anglia > So the discovery of the dead German cat in an area where dozens of > birds had died from H5N1 does not come as a big surprise. > > Paul Hunter, professor of health protection at the University of East > Anglia in the UK, points out that like all predators, felines hunt > weaker animals. > > " Cats tend to go for sick birds, so it is not unexpected if cats > catch and kill infected birds, " he told the BBC news website. > > No alarm > > The risk of cats getting the H5N1 virus is real. But according Dr > Hunter, it is " not huge " . > > He notes that in affected areas in Asia, where people live in close > proximity with poultry, hundreds of thousands of humans have handled > infected birds - and yet less than 200 are known to have contracted > the virus. > > QUICK GUIDE > > > Bird flu > > The H5N1 strain does not jump easily to other species - and this > applies to cats as well. > > " Do not expect large-scale mortality, " Dr Hunter says. > > How about humans being at risk? Dr Hunter argues that there is little > cause for alarm on that count as well. > > " The risk of your cat getting bird flu from a bird is small, the risk > of your getting it from your cat is equally small. A small risk > within a small risk is a very small risk, " he says. > > > Poultry could provide the best vehicle for the virus > But the issue - both for pets and humans - is whether the H5N1 virus > mutates within the host population, making it easy to spread among > individuals. > > This has not happened yet - but if a mutated H5N1 made infection from > cat to cat easier, this could be bad news for humans too. > > According to a 2004 paper by Dutch virologist Thijs Kuiken, cat-to- > cat transmission is possible and could provide an " opportunity for > this avian flu to adapt to mammals " . > > But for the time being experts are telling people not to panic. > > " The thought to hang on to at the moment is the current strains of > the virus appear to be really inefficient at infecting non-bird > species, " says the head of the British Veterinary Association, Frieda > Scott-Park. > > " And indeed the virus has been circulating throughout large swathes > of the world already, and there haven't been numerous deaths from the > disease in domestic mammals. " > > Poultry risk > > So there is no need for owners to keep their cats indoors. > > The infected poultry must be disposed of quickly > > Diana Bell, > Biologist > But according to Diana Bell, a biologist at the University of East > Anglia who has studied the civet infections in Vietnam, there are > things humans can do help protect domestic animals. > > Many of the carnivores who have contracted bird flu so far, she says, > have done so by eating poultry rather than wild birds. > > The danger is that pets, particularly cats, ferret out scraps of > infected meat. > > " The infected poultry must be disposed of quickly so there is no > possibility of carnivores having success in digging them up, " she > told the BBC News website. > > The lesson for pet owners is: Don't worry too much - but if you live > near an infected poultry farm, make sure the bird carcasses are well > out of your pet's reach. > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 1, 2006 Report Share Posted March 1, 2006 well..i would hazard to guess if you kept kittie paws indoors, you would..ahem...kill two birds with one stone... kittie paws isn't exposed to flu kittie paws isn't off denuding the local feathered population >herbvalerian <herbvalerian >Mar 1, 2006 1:30 AM > > Re: Bird Flu - Are Pet Cats at Risk? > >This is disturbing but consider the context of hysteria we are now entering. >As far as I recall cats have always been vulnerable to various forms of flu. >Who knows whether this was the first cat to contract this or possibly it is because of the >current hysteria that this cat was tested. Maybe there have been other cats who have had >this form of flu and recovered. >I think that as long as you make sure your cat friends are healthy and not >immunosuppressed you should not worry about letting them do " their thing " . >I am not denying the existence of bird flu but remember Donald Rumsfeld has shares in >the treatment >http://money.cnn.com/2005/10/31/news/newsmakers/fortune_rumsfeld/ >and I am sure many other powerful lobbies are influencing this problem to their >advantage. > > " NOTICE: Due to Presidential Executive Orders, the National Security Agency may have read this email without warning, warrant, or notice. They may do this without any judicial or legislative oversight. You have no recourse nor protection save to call for the impeachment of the current President. " Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 1, 2006 Report Share Posted March 1, 2006 This was the first cat proved to have bird flu in Europe - there have been others die of it in Asia, and one recovered from it. Jo - " herbvalerian " <herbvalerian Wednesday, March 01, 2006 9:30 AM Re: Bird Flu - Are Pet Cats at Risk? > This is disturbing but consider the context of hysteria we are now entering. > As far as I recall cats have always been vulnerable to various forms of flu. > Who knows whether this was the first cat to contract this or possibly it is because of the > current hysteria that this cat was tested. Maybe there have been other cats who have had > this form of flu and recovered. > I think that as long as you make sure your cat friends are healthy and not > immunosuppressed you should not worry about letting them do " their thing " . > I am not denying the existence of bird flu but remember Donald Rumsfeld has shares in > the treatment > http://money.cnn.com/2005/10/31/news/newsmakers/fortune_rumsfeld/ > and I am sure many other powerful lobbies are influencing this problem to their > advantage. > > > , " heartwerk " <jo.heartwork wrote: > > > > The discovery of a German cat who died of bird flu - the first mammal > > found with the H5N1 virus in Central Europe - raises stark questions > > for pet owners across the world. > > > > How easily can avian flu jump from birds to domestic animals? If a > > pet gets sick, should the owners be worried about their own health? > > > > Scientists have known for at least two years that felines could catch > > the deadly bird flu virus. > > > > It was found in 2004 in Thailand in two domestic cats. Big cats who > > had been fed infected chicken carcasses in a Thai zoo were also > > killed by H5N1. > > > > And last year, wild civet cats died after contracting the virus. > > > > Cats tend to go for sick birds, so it is not unexpected if cats > > catch and kill infected birds > > > > Dr Paul Hunter > > University of East Anglia > > So the discovery of the dead German cat in an area where dozens of > > birds had died from H5N1 does not come as a big surprise. > > > > Paul Hunter, professor of health protection at the University of East > > Anglia in the UK, points out that like all predators, felines hunt > > weaker animals. > > > > " Cats tend to go for sick birds, so it is not unexpected if cats > > catch and kill infected birds, " he told the BBC news website. > > > > No alarm > > > > The risk of cats getting the H5N1 virus is real. But according Dr > > Hunter, it is " not huge " . > > > > He notes that in affected areas in Asia, where people live in close > > proximity with poultry, hundreds of thousands of humans have handled > > infected birds - and yet less than 200 are known to have contracted > > the virus. > > > > QUICK GUIDE > > > > > > Bird flu > > > > The H5N1 strain does not jump easily to other species - and this > > applies to cats as well. > > > > " Do not expect large-scale mortality, " Dr Hunter says. > > > > How about humans being at risk? Dr Hunter argues that there is little > > cause for alarm on that count as well. > > > > " The risk of your cat getting bird flu from a bird is small, the risk > > of your getting it from your cat is equally small. A small risk > > within a small risk is a very small risk, " he says. > > > > > > Poultry could provide the best vehicle for the virus > > But the issue - both for pets and humans - is whether the H5N1 virus > > mutates within the host population, making it easy to spread among > > individuals. > > > > This has not happened yet - but if a mutated H5N1 made infection from > > cat to cat easier, this could be bad news for humans too. > > > > According to a 2004 paper by Dutch virologist Thijs Kuiken, cat-to- > > cat transmission is possible and could provide an " opportunity for > > this avian flu to adapt to mammals " . > > > > But for the time being experts are telling people not to panic. > > > > " The thought to hang on to at the moment is the current strains of > > the virus appear to be really inefficient at infecting non-bird > > species, " says the head of the British Veterinary Association, Frieda > > Scott-Park. > > > > " And indeed the virus has been circulating throughout large swathes > > of the world already, and there haven't been numerous deaths from the > > disease in domestic mammals. " > > > > Poultry risk > > > > So there is no need for owners to keep their cats indoors. > > > > The infected poultry must be disposed of quickly > > > > Diana Bell, > > Biologist > > But according to Diana Bell, a biologist at the University of East > > Anglia who has studied the civet infections in Vietnam, there are > > things humans can do help protect domestic animals. > > > > Many of the carnivores who have contracted bird flu so far, she says, > > have done so by eating poultry rather than wild birds. > > > > The danger is that pets, particularly cats, ferret out scraps of > > infected meat. > > > > " The infected poultry must be disposed of quickly so there is no > > possibility of carnivores having success in digging them up, " she > > told the BBC News website. > > > > The lesson for pet owners is: Don't worry too much - but if you live > > near an infected poultry farm, make sure the bird carcasses are well > > out of your pet's reach. > > > To send an email to - > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 1, 2006 Report Share Posted March 1, 2006 I reckon if avian flu gets to your neck of the woods the only way to keep them safe would be to keep them in for a while so they can't catch it. I never thought of predators getting it, but of course, it makes sense. I hope all our list members cats manage to avoid it. Jo - " fraggle " <EBbrewpunx Wednesday, March 01, 2006 4:42 PM Re: Re: Bird Flu - Are Pet Cats at Risk? > well..i would hazard to guess if you kept kittie paws indoors, you would..ahem...kill two birds with one stone... > > kittie paws isn't exposed to flu > kittie paws isn't off denuding the local feathered population Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 1, 2006 Report Share Posted March 1, 2006 No chance of my cats getting it, one lives in my bedroom, the other is scared of her own shadow, other cats, other animals, other life forms, inanimate objects, weather, well everything in fact! The Valley Vegan.................. Happy St. Davids Day to you all........jo <jo.heartwork wrote: I reckon if avian flu gets to your neck of the woods the only way to keepthem safe would be to keep them in for a while so they can't catch it. Inever thought of predators getting it, but of course, it makes sense. Ihope all our list members cats manage to avoid it.Jo-"fraggle" Wednesday, March 01, 2006 4:42 PMRe: Re: Bird Flu - Are Pet Cats at Risk?> well..i would hazard to guess if you kept kittie paws indoors, youwould..ahem...kill two birds with one stone...>> kittie paws isn't exposed to flu> kittie paws isn't off denuding the local feathered populationTo send an email to - Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 1, 2006 Report Share Posted March 1, 2006 dydd gwyl dewi hapus peter hurd Mar 1, 2006 10:45 AM Re: Re: Bird Flu - Are Pet Cats at Risk? No chance of my cats getting it, one lives in my bedroom, the other is scared of her own shadow, other cats, other animals, other life forms, inanimate objects, weather, well everything in fact! The Valley Vegan.................. Happy St. Davids Day to you all........jo <jo.heartwork wrote: I reckon if avian flu gets to your neck of the woods the only way to keepthem safe would be to keep them in for a while so they can't catch it. Inever thought of predators getting it, but of course, it makes sense. Ihope all our list members cats manage to avoid it.Jo-"fraggle" Wednesday, March 01, 2006 4:42 PMRe: Re: Bird Flu - Are Pet Cats at Risk?> well..i would hazard to guess if you kept kittie paws indoors, youwould..ahem...kill two birds with one stone...>> kittie paws isn't exposed to flu> kittie paws isn't off denuding the local feathered populationTo send an email to - Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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