United States: The threat linked to bird flu has been increasing with the passing day, and concerns related to infection among humans and the next pandemic have also been increasing. Now, health experts have expressed stress about the potential role of cats in the spread of avian influenza – highlighting increased surveillance of the virus.
The risk linked to the spread of high pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) has been increasing since May 2022. The virus, which is also known as avian flu H5, has infected as many as 23 mammal species, according to Down to Earth.
As per the US Department of Agriculture, as many as 374 animals have contracted the infection, which has led to illness, severe disease, and even deaths. It is to be noted that various types of mammals have caught the infection, including 97 red foxes, 82 house mice, 36 domestic cats, and 43 skunks. Along with this, the infection was also reported among 22 mountain lions, 21 harbor seals, and 43 skunks. The experts have also mentioned that other species that are impacted are raccoons, deer mice, and bobcats.
However, now the health experts are very concerned because the infection has been reported among cats. A recent paper that explained the spread of avian flu has mentioned that the infection has not been seen in cats for over 20 years, and currently, the latest strain of H5N1 poses more risks.
Along with this, a study, titled Avian Influenza Virus Infections in Felines: The Systematic Review of Two Decades of Literature briefed that spread of the avian flu among cats must be monitored closely because it is suspected that the this infection can lead to next human pandemic, as per Down To Earth.
Further, the study mentioned that cats feed on dead wild birds, which increases the chances that they “may serve as a host for avian-influenced virus adaptation to mammals.”
Along with this, previous studies have shown transmission from one cat to another, which further explained, “Domestic cats are a popular human companion animal and thus provide a potential pathway for zoonotic spillover of avian influenza viruses to humans.”
It is to be noted that the highest number of domestic cats caught the infection in 2023, between 2004 and 2024.
High Concerns!
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has recently added avian flu – influenza A Virus – to the list of pathogens that could trigger the next pandemic.