2023-07-18 15:35:36
Poland is the first country to record a “high number” of cats infected with bird flu over a wide area, the World Health Organization has said, while adding that the risk of transmission to humans is low.
According to the WHO, 29 cats have tested positive for the H5NI virus in Poland since authorities in Warsaw informed it last month of unusual deaths of these felines across the country.
These animals were among 46 cats and a caracal feline in captivity tested for this virus. Of the infected animals, 11 died and 14 were euthanized. The last death was recorded on June 30.
The source of the cats’ exposure to the virus “is not currently known”, and “investigations are ongoing”, the WHO said in a statement.
Since the end of 2021, Europe has been facing its worst outbreak of bird flu, with North America and South America also recording serious increases.
This situation has led to the slaughter of millions of poultry around the world, many carrying the H5NI virus which appeared in 1996.
Recently, a worrying surge of infections has been recorded in mammals, and the UN health agency indicates that other sporadic infections of cats have already been reported.
“But this is the first report of a high number of infected cats in a large geographical area within a country,” the WHO said.
As of July 12, no one who has been in contact with infected cats has reported symptoms, and the period of monitoring these contacts is now over, adds the WHO.
According to her, the risk of transmission to humans from infected cats was assessed as low for the Polish population in general.
The risk to cat owners, veterinarians and others who may be exposed specifically to felines carrying H5NI without protective equipment is estimated to be low to moderate.
Contaminations by avian influenza in humans are rare, but when they occur they can cause serious disorders with high mortality.
Cases of H5N1 in humans are generally the result of direct or indirect exposure with live or dead poultry or with a contaminated environment.
The WHO said it is aware of 12 cases of human H5N1 infection since 2020 worldwide. Four were found to be severe, with the other eight being moderate or asymptomatic.
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