Mary Wilson
Well-known member
17 July 2023
Polish authorities are investigating all potential sources of infection after some 29 cats were found to be infected with the influenza A virus, similar to those found in birds, the UN World Health Organization (WHO) reported on Sunday.
As of Wednesday, 12 July, no human contacts of A(H5N1) positive cats have reported any symptoms, the UN health agency said, adding that the surveillance period for all contacts has now complete.
National first
There have been previous “sporadic” cases of what is more commonly referred to as the bird flu virus, but the cases in Poland are the first time high numbers of infected cats have
been reported over a wide geographical area within a single country, WHO said.
“The risk of human infections following exposure to infected cats at the national level is assessed as low for the general population, and low to moderate for cat owners and those occupationally exposed to H5N1-infected cats, such as veterinarians, without the use of appropriate personal protective equipment”.
WHO advised those exposed to animal flu viruses and all contacts of confirmed human cases, to monitor their health for the duration of the known exposure period, plus an additional minimum of seven days. ...
Cat deaths
According to WHO, as of 11 July, authorities in Poland tested 47 samples from 46 cats and one captive caracal wild cat. Of these, 29 were found to be positive for influenza A (H5N1).
Fourteen cats were reportedly euthanized, and a further 11 died, with the last death reported on 30 June.
The positive samples were reported from 13 geographical areas within the country.
Source of exposure ‘unknown’
The source of exposure to the virus is currently unknown and epizootic investigations are ongoing. ...
https://news.un.org/en/story/2023/07/1138762
Polish authorities are investigating all potential sources of infection after some 29 cats were found to be infected with the influenza A virus, similar to those found in birds, the UN World Health Organization (WHO) reported on Sunday.
As of Wednesday, 12 July, no human contacts of A(H5N1) positive cats have reported any symptoms, the UN health agency said, adding that the surveillance period for all contacts has now complete.
National first
There have been previous “sporadic” cases of what is more commonly referred to as the bird flu virus, but the cases in Poland are the first time high numbers of infected cats have
been reported over a wide geographical area within a single country, WHO said.
“The risk of human infections following exposure to infected cats at the national level is assessed as low for the general population, and low to moderate for cat owners and those occupationally exposed to H5N1-infected cats, such as veterinarians, without the use of appropriate personal protective equipment”.
WHO advised those exposed to animal flu viruses and all contacts of confirmed human cases, to monitor their health for the duration of the known exposure period, plus an additional minimum of seven days. ...
Cat deaths
According to WHO, as of 11 July, authorities in Poland tested 47 samples from 46 cats and one captive caracal wild cat. Of these, 29 were found to be positive for influenza A (H5N1).
Fourteen cats were reportedly euthanized, and a further 11 died, with the last death reported on 30 June.
The positive samples were reported from 13 geographical areas within the country.
Source of exposure ‘unknown’
The source of exposure to the virus is currently unknown and epizootic investigations are ongoing. ...
https://news.un.org/en/story/2023/07/1138762