A first case of bird flu in cats has been confirmed in the Netherlands.
The infection was reported by an owner of a kitten that died shortly after taking it from a shelter. The kitten was examined by the Wageningen Bioveterinary Research Center, which reported the H5N1 avian influenza virus infection on November 19, reports
The kitten came from a nest on a goat farm. His seven siblings also died, probably also from this virus.
The virus has not been identified in dairy goats
The Dutch Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA) specialist team visited the goat farm on November 20 and examined the three cats present, including the kitten’s mother.
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Dairy goats were also included. This examination found no bird flu.
It is not very clear how the kittens became infected with the bird flu virus.
The owner reported that the mother found the carcass of a wild bird on October 27 and brought it to the nest. It is possible that this bird was infected and that the kittens, eating it, became infected.
Cat owners have been offered bird flu tests
The Dutch Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority informed the local Municipal Health Service (GGD) about the situation, and they contacted all new owners of the kittens.
Where necessary, given the incubation period, owners were offered a bird flu test.
Active monitoring has been initiated for several of them. To date, none of the kittens have developed symptoms.
Symptoms
The detection of bird flu in kittens confirms the existing theory that the virus can also occur in mammals.
It is the first time that a strain of bird flu has been identified in a mammal, but experts say that the risk of them becoming infected is, however, low.
However, in the Netherlands, cat owners are advised to be alert. If a cat shows symptoms, emergency veterinary consultation and appropriate hygiene measures are recommended.
Symptoms include: fever, wheezing, difficulty breathing, lethargy, conjunctivitis, nasal discharge, red eyes, mucous discharge from the eyes or nose, neurological signs such as tremors or unsteady gait.
