Recent reports indicate that cats are now falling victim to bird flu, raising concerns about the potential risks posed by the current outbreak of highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza to both these beloved pets and their human companions.
When bird flu viruses cross over to mammals, they can undergo genetic changes that enhance their ability to replicate in mammalian cells. This raises the alarming prospect of the avian influenza virus adapting to efficiently spread among humans.
While there is currently no evidence of the virus acquiring the necessary mutations for sustained human-to-human transmission, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention stated on May 24 that most human cases have involved individuals in close contact with infected poultry or livestock.
However, the detection of bird flu in domestic cats could provide a new pathway for the virus to infect humans, as people are more likely to interact closely with their feline companions than with farm animals.
Date: 2024-05-31 12:00:00
Source: www.sciencenews.org