A bird flu outbreak at a wildlife sanctuary in Washington state has killed 20 wildcats, including cougars, bobcats, and African servals. The outbreak has also infected poultry farms, dairy cattle, and some people across the nation.
The Wild Felid Advocacy Center of Washington is under quarantine and closed to the public until further notice due to the risk of spreading the virus. Animal health officials have confirmed that more than half of the wildcats tested positive for highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), a highly contagious and deadly virus. Cats are particularly vulnerable to this virus, which can cause symptoms such as pneumonia-like conditions within 24 hours of infection.
The sanctuary has reported significant financial losses due to medical costs associated with treating the infected animals. The organization is seeking community support to help cover these expenses. This outbreak highlights the risks posed by bird flu to wildlife and humans alike, and experts emphasize that while vaccines are being developed, no public health measures have been implemented yet due to the lack of evidence of human-to-human transmission.
Source: https://eu.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2024/12/25/bird-flu-outbreak-wild-cats-die/77213531007