Bird Flu in cats

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AVIAN INFLUENZA - EASTERN ASIA (78): THAILAND, CATS

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Thu, 17 Jun 2004

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Source: The Messybeast Cat Resource Archive: 16 Jun

2004 [edited]

<http://www.messybeast.com/zoonoses.htm>

 

Asian Bird Flu

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In Feb 2004, scientists in Thailand confirmed the 1st

cases of Asian Bird Flu in cats. The H5N1 virus is

most famously found in intensively farmed chickens,

but affects other bird species including pigeons and

ducks. It has killed 22 people across several Asian

countries. Veterinarian Teeraphon Sirinauemit

announced in Bangkok that H5N1 bird flu had been found

in at least 2 domestic cats and a white tiger. Genetic

tests on the virus detected in all 3 animals confirmed

the identity of the virus. The discovery was

significant, because every time the virus jumps

species, the risk of mutation into a human form

increases.

 

Autopsies and virus tests were performed on 3 cats at

Kasetsart University's animal hospital. 2 cats tested

positive for the H5N1 virus. They were among 15 cats

owned by a Thai man living near an infected chicken

farm in Nakorn Pathom, 37 miles (60 Km) west of

Bangkok. 14 of the 15 cats had died, but it was

unclear whether all had been infected with the H5N1

virus. One cat was still alive, but very sick and was

being tested for H5N1. The white tiger affected by

H5N1 was housed at the Khao Khiew private zoo in

Chonburi province near Bangkok. It tested positive for

the virus, but had recovered fully. Tests confirmed

that H5N1 had killed a rare Thai clouded leopard from

the same zoo in January 2004. The most probably cause

is raw chicken fed to the big cats.

 

The occurrence of H5N1 bird flu in the domestic cats

is due to eating raw chicken, proximity to infected

farms and/or contact with infected bird carcasses. All

the affected domestic cats would have had a high

degree of exposure to the virus. Almost all cases of

H5N1 bird flu in humans are traceable to infected

chickens; though cats are susceptible to it, the virus

does not appear to pose a danger to humans. The

scientists' main concern is the growing number of

species into which the virus has jumped. Health

Ministry officials were sent to check on anybody who

had been in contact with the dead cats, while pet

owners took immediate precautions, switching meals

from cooked chicken to beef.

 

Professor Thaneerat Santiwat, dean of Kasetsart

University's veterinary faculty, advised owners not to

let their cats eat dead chicken carcasses, dead birds,

or any dead animals found in infected areas. As well

as domestic pets, thousands of stray and semi-feral

cats live in close proximity to humans in rural and

urban areas of Thailand, especially around temples.

Cat lovers who feed the strays have been asked not to

feed raw chicken. This aims to prevent H5N1 from

jumping to other cats and reduces the risk of

mutation. There is no current evidence of cat-to-cat

or cat-to-human transmission of H5N1 Asian Bird Flu.

 

[byline: Sarah Hartwell]

 

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ProMED-mail

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[Further to the previous postings in February (see

refs), this is a useful compilation of published data

regarding avian influenza infections suspected or

confirmed in Thai felines earlier in 2004. - Mod.AS]

 

[see also:

Avian influenza - Eastern Asia (24) 20040213.0480

Avian influenza - Eastern Asia (26) 20040216.0510

Avian influenza - Eastern Asia (29) 20040220.0542

Avian influenza, human - East Asia (26) 20040220.0549

Avian influenza H5N1, mammals - East Asia

20040221.0560]

....................arn/pg/dk