Cats And Avian Flu - Statement From The Cat Group

There have been regular reports on avian flu in the press over the past year. It has been a topic for discussion within The Cat Group which felt that it would be useful to explain the concerns and the ‘risks' more clearly. The Cat Group, which was launched in 2000, is a collection of professional organisations dedicated to feline welfare through the development and promotion of policies and recommendations on the care and keeping of all cats. Its members are the Feline Advisory Bureau, Animal Health Trust, Blue Cross, RSPCA, British Small Animal Veterinary Association, European Society of Feline Medicine, Cats Protection and the Governing Council of the Cat Fancy and the Group is chaired by Professor Os Jarrett from the University of Glasgow, well known for his work on viral diseases in cats. The concern is that recent examples of a subtype (H5N1) of avian influenza virus, as well as producing high levels of mortality in domestic poultry, can infect, and cause fatal disease in mammals, including humans and cats. This highly pathogenic virus first appeared in chickens in Hong Kong in 1997 and spread to people, with six deaths being recorded. In 2003 there were two further human deaths associated with infection by the same subtype of virus in southern China. Throughout 2004, H5N1 viruses spread throughout Southeast Asia resulting in the deaths, or slaughter of millions of chickens and over 30 people. The human infections were acquired directly from infected birds and fortunately the virus does not appear to spread between people. However, a major threat from this new virus is that suddenly it might change and cause epidemics in people. This might occur if the virus mutated in chickens or recombined, with existing human influenza viruses already in people or pigs, to produce novel viruses that could then spread readily from person to person, causing widespread disease. The World Health Organisation is closely monitoring the situation for the appearance of any such variant viruses in people. Other concerns are that the H5N1 virus has been found to cause fatal disease in domestic cats, as well as in tigers and leopards in captivity, through the consumption of infected poultry meat; and the virus can spread between cats. Therefore there is a theoretical possibility that cats may be involved in natural history of these viruses, serving as a vehicle for the spread of the virus to other species, particularly man. Most authorities consider this outcome to be unlikely since previously reported disease in cats caused by avian influenza viruses have not been associated with widespread infection, or fatalities in cats. The first recorded natural, fatal infection of cats with an avian influenza virus was in Korea in 1942, but the subtype of that virus is not know. Since then there have been anecdotal accounts of natural feline infections in Thailand in 2004 and the transmission of a current H5N1 isolate from chickens to cats, and between cats, has been reported recently. It is considered even more unlikely that cats could act as a ‘mixing vessel' to generate recombinant influenza viruses, as might occur in people or pigs. Therefore, the risk that cats might pose should be kept in perspective. Kuiken T, et al (2004) Avian H5N1 influenza in cats. Science 306 :241 Keawcharoen J, et al (2004) Avian influenza H5N1 in tigers and leopards. Emerging Infectious Diseases 10, 2189-2191

More from

• IVC Evidensia assembles expert team to run new £10m referral hospital
• Home delivery service can increase pet health plan sign-ups by 25%
• Research reveals vital clues to help fight anthelmintic resistance
• Lifetime Achievement Award recognises Harrogate vet’s dedication to improving the health and welfare of rabbits
• Bake sale at Leicestershire vet practice for good cause