A devastating outbreak of bird flu has killed 20 big cats at a sanctuary in Washington State. The Wild Felid Advocacy Center in Shelton reported that more than half of the cats had died from the virus between late November and mid-December, with only three recovering and one remaining in critical condition.
The first cat to die was a cougar on November 23, followed by several others who developed pneumonialike symptoms. The virus spread rapidly among different species, including African servals, Canada lynx cats, and bobcats. The sanctuary’s director, Mark Mathews, attributed the outbreak to the virus’s ability to jump between birds and mammals.
The facility is currently under quarantine, and workers are taking precautions such as wearing protective clothing and sanitizing their shoes to prevent further infections. Sanitization of habitats will take months to complete.
This outbreak highlights the risks of bird flu for big cats, which are particularly vulnerable to avian influenza. The virus has been spreading globally, infecting birds and other mammals. In other parts of the world, outbreaks have occurred in cat shelters and dairy cattle herds.
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2024/12/24/us/big-cat-bird-flu-deaths-washington.html