Scientists are working tirelessly to grok how several house cats in Colorado contract and yield to Avian influenza, despite their indoor being. The United States is currently wrestling with an outbreak of H5N1 avian influenza that has affected nearly 200 dairy herds and at least 13 farm workers since March, with over one-half of the case reports in Colorado. The virus has also affected assorted smaller mammal, include rotter, fox, porcupine, sea lion, and even a polar bear. However, the infection of six cat, two of which were indoor pet, has raise concern among state official as they endeavor to determine the bury – species transmission of the virus.
In previous outbreak, infect feline have expose symptom similar to rabies, such as blindness, disorientation, paralysis, trouble breathing, and bloody diarrhea.
Dr. Rick Bright, an influenza and immunologist expert, foreground the perplex aspect of how indoor cat could have contract bird influenza. several theory have been propose, include the possibility of cat being expose to the virus through raw milk or pollute food merchandise. Additionally, the virus could have been introduce into the house by person transport the virus on their apparel or place. The proximity of infect animal to farm with active_agent infection and their association with farmworkers or contract worker further complicate the situation.
Transmission theory and hazard Factors
Dr. Scott Weese, an infectious disease veterinarian, discourse assorted theory on how the cat might have become infected, including scenario involve interaction with infect mouse or bird. The consumption of raw meat is also see a potential transmission path, as attest by previous outbreak in other state. The case of cat death in Poland and South Korea due to pollute food beginning serve as cautionary example of the hazard associate with avian influenza.
Three out of the six dead_person cat have outdoor exposure and likely contract the virus while hunt infect mouse or bird . The stay cat , life on a farm , probably get the virus from devour infect milk.
Krutika Kuppalli , an Infectious Disease Society of America spokesperson , stress the importance of comprehensive_examination surveillance and information sharing to identify other potential transmission manner and buttocks the hazard to homo health . Colorado health official have urge veterinarian to see H5N1 when treat sick feline , regardless of their proximity to farm , due to the widespread circulation of the virus in the state.
In decision , the emergence of avian influenza in domestic cat underscore the complex nature of zoonotic disease and the critical need for watchfulness in monitoring and control such outbreak . populace awareness and proactive measure are necessity in safeguard both animal and homo population from the spread of potentially deadly viruses.
