Cases of cats infected with avian flu are on the rise. Serious cases that often lead to death. Researchers are most worried because they now fear the virus’s adaptations would allow it to jump from cats to its human companions.
The highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza virus appeared in China in 1996. Which has been identified by scientists. cladeclade 2.3.4.4.ba has now affected a quantity.SpeciesSpecies Birds, but about twenty species MammalsMammals. Including humans.
Scientists today are concerned not only about the ability that the virus seems to have to mutate to infect more people. But also neurological symptoms that can be seen in different hosts: Sea lionSea lion or foxes and domestic cats.
We should first recall that the first case of H5N1 avian flu occurred in a cat in 2004. Veterinarians from the University of Maryland (USA) even warned at the beginning of summer. “Surge in reports of domestic cat infections”. From 2023. Another sign that the virus is changing. Additionally, more and more cases of cats contracting bird flu from other cats have been reported.
Severe neurological symptoms in cats with avian flu
It is in this context that researchers from the University of Pittsburgh (USA) were interested in a serious study. OutbreakOutbreak Happened last spring in South Dakota. About ten cats died due to this disease. Flu virusFlu virus In Avian and Magazine Emerging microbes and infectionsthe researchers describe how they ran a battery of analyzes on two of the cats that were pronounced dead after showing signs of avian flu, both respiratory and neurological.
Histopathology, PhylogeneticPhylogenetic, The arrangementThe arrangement Of The genomeThe genome There was nothing left for the whole occasion. Analyzes confirm the presence of H5N1 clade 2.3.4.4.b. LungsLungsbut also in the brains of infected cats. There Viral chargeViral charge It was even more important in their respiratory tissues. As a result, significant lesions, especially in The cerebellumThe cerebellum AndSea horseSea horseand death of nerve cells in critical areas.
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The current strain of H5N1 has a mortality rate of about 67% in cats.
Researchers report that the virus identified in these cats bears some resemblance to a virus discovered in dairy cows in South Dakota. is sufficient to confirm the possibility of transfer. cowcow Purchase However, adaptations specific to cats have also been identified. The cats studied demonstrated co-expression of the receptors.AcidAcid Sialk – those that allow the virus to enter cells – into their lung and brain tissues, compatible with both avian and human flu viruses. Thus, researchers fear that cats may serve as a host for reassortment between these viruses and thus,appearanceappearance New strains capable of transferring between species and thus contaminating humans.
Avian flu, from cats to humans?
In the past, cases of avian influenza virus transmission from cats to humans have been reported. However, to date, no human infection with H5N1 avian influenza virus carried by cats has been reported. But researchers believe cats should do everything now to prevent themselves from carrying the avian virus and the mammalian virus together. Because no one knows what changes may occur after that.
To reduce these risks — and protect your cats, too — scientists offer some advice:
- In areas where H5N1 outbreaks have been reported, keep cats indoors to avoid exposure.
- Minimize interactions between your cats and wild animals, such as birds or small mammals, as they can transmit the virus to them.
- Make sure cats don’t eat raw meat or milk, as these can also harbor the virus.
