Avian Influenza In Cats And Other Mammals, British Veterinary Association

The British Veterinary Association (BVA) has issued a Policy Brief. Below is a summary of the brief. At the end of this article you can find a link to the full brief.


-- Avian Influenza Can Infect Mammal Species, Including:

humans, rats and mice, stoats, weasels and ferrets, pigs, cats and dogs


-- Non-avian species do not act as reservoirs for H5N1.


-- As influenza viruses are unstable and unpredictable, it is important to track the evolution of H5N1 in mammal species for signs of change.


-- Pet cats can become infected if they eat sick birds. Anecdotal reports of infected domestic and wild cats have been reported in South East Asia.


-- Tigers and leopards have become infected after eating infected meat in some zoos.


-- Even though H5N1 is not shed in the same quantities from cat species as it is from birds, the risk to humans (from cats) is considered as low. Cat-to-cat transmission does appear to take place - even between domestic and non-domestic cats species.


-- A human pandemic will not necessarily result in avian flu outbreaks in non-human mammals. Outbreaks in birds have resulted in very small numbers of non-human (reported) mammal infections.


-- It is important to continue being vigilant. Veterinary surgeons should report suspected and confirmed cases to national authorities.


-- Pet owners should be made aware that the risk to their mammals of H5N1 infection is very low. The risk of a pet infecting a human is even lower. Owners should keep the risk in perspective.


-- Pet owners who live within three kilometres of an outbreak should keep their cats indoors and only walk their dogs on a lead (not let them run loose). Pets should not feed on dead wild birds.


-- If a vet has a susceptible mammal brought into his/her practice with a respiratory complaint, H5N1 will have to be included in the list of possible causes of the clinical signs.


-- Pet owners must not abandon their pets because of fear of infection (to the pet owner).


Click Here to See the Policy Brief in Full (pdf)


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