2023-07-18 11:13:00
This summer, subscribe to National Geographic for only €5/month and get three special GIFTS that cannot be missing in your suitcase.
Enjoy our special editions at a single price for being a subscriber.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has launched an alert regarding a growing outbreak of bird flu which is affecting numerous animal species, including cats and other mammals.
The news has raised some degree of concern, given that mammals are biologically more similar to humans than birds, which could theoretically make it easier for the virus to adapt to infect people more efficiently.
Feral cats: the silent threat to biodiversity
Furthermore, experts fear that some of these mammals may act as intermediate hosts for avian influenza viruses, facilitating the mutation of the virus and the emergence of new strains that could be more harmful to animals and potentially humans.
CATS IN POLAND
Poland is one of the worst affected countries, and has already reported several “unusual deaths” among mammals, especially cats, to the WHO. In fact, 11 cats have been reported to have died from the infection, and another 14 had to be euthanized.
Despite these alarming news, the WHO has stated that the risk to the general population is low, and only low to moderate for cat owners and those who, for professional reasons, come into contact with cats infected with the virus. H5N1 virus, as long as they do not wear the proper personal protective equipment.
Influenza A view through a microscope.
The WHO has also emphasized that, with the information currently available, the virus does not appear to be easily transmitted from person to person. However, constant vigilance is required to identify any changes in the virus that could alter this scenario.
Sylvie Briand, WHO Director of Epidemic and Pandemic Preparedness and Prevention, has stated that the organization is collaborating closely with the FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations) and the WOAH (World Organization for Animal Health) to monitor the evolution of these viruses. In addition, she has urged all countries to improve your ability to track these viruses and detection of possible cases in humans.
BACKGROUND
In 2022, outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 in 67 countries, resulting in the loss of more than 131 million domestic birds due to death or preventive culling. In 2023, another 14 countries reported the occurrence of the disease.
Currently, until 41 species of mammals are infected by “bird flu,” including dogs, cats, tigers, lions, ferrets, otters, foxes, coyotes, various types of bears, domestic pigs, seals, sea lions, and dolphins. Still, more research is needed to understand the degree of infection in these wild mammals and to determine the potential for the virus to spread to humans.
#death #dozens #cats #puts #alert