A new study by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reveals that people can transmit bird flu to their domestic cats, resulting in fatal consequences. The CDC published two household case studies from Michigan in May 2024, which showed that cat owners who worked near dairy cattle farms infected with bird flu were more likely to have sick cats.
In the first case, a five-year-old indoor female cat developed severe symptoms including loss of appetite, poor grooming habits, and neurological deterioration. Despite emergency care, the cat died within four days. The CDC advises farmworkers to remove contaminated clothing and footwear before entering households.
A second case involved a six-month-old male Maine Coon that died after showing symptoms such as anorexia, lethargy, and facial swelling. The cat’s owner regularly transported unpasteurized milk from infected dairy farms, exposing the cat to the virus.
With 69 human cases of bird flu reported in the US since its outbreak began in 2024, experts warn that the virus could mutate into a strain capable of efficient human-to-human transmission. The CDC is urging caution and advising against the consumption of raw milk, which can spread the virus.
Source: https://www.sciencealert.com/bird-flu-can-spread-from-humans-to-cats-with-fatal-consequences