Local News- Bird Flu Spreads To Cats April 6, 2006
Posted by ericab297 in local news, Uncategorized.trackback
New York- As New Yorkers panic about the ever growing “Bird Flu”; scientists continue to explore it farther. In a recent study, it was proven that cats are able to become infected with the H5N1 virus. On top of this, experiments confirm that cats are able to transfer this to other cats. Whether or not they are able to spread this disease to people has not been confirmed yet.
“We believe that the potential role of cats should be considered in official guidelines for controlling the spread of H5N1 virus infection,” states both Albert Osterhaus at the
Erasmus
Medical
Center in
Rotterdam and Peter Roeder of the Food and Argiculture Organization of the United Nations.
Scientists advise cat owners to keep their cats inside, away from both the infected birds and their droppings. Along with this, cats that demonstrate any symptoms should be quarantined immediately for further testing.
Although scientists are still unsure of the role cats play in the H5N1 virus, they explain that they rather be safe than sorry until further information is provided.
Learning several months ago that birds, a species that creates a large population in my living area, I became quite scared. But after learning that my two cats are able to not only become infected, but possibly spread this disease to myself, the fear increases even more so. As this ever growing bird flu makes its way to local areas, myself and others continue to fear.
You have a good topic and a good link. I think you need to re-read the story. Yes, the dateline is “New York,” but there have been no reports of bird flu in North America.
From the CNN story:
“In areas where H5N1 has been found in poultry or wild birds, cats should be kept away from infected birds or their droppings, …”. The writer is talking about Asia and Europe, not the U.S. You and your cat are safe. At least for now.
Your last paragraph is a bit of a mess. The introductory phrase in the first sentence doesn’t make sense, nor does your last sentence. “myself continue to fear”? And who are the “others”?
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