Cat Infected With Bird Flu H5N1, Germany

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Main Category: Bird Flu / Avian Flu
Also Included In: Veterinary
Article Date: 28 Feb 2006 - 15:00 PDT

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German experts (Friedrich Loeffler Institute) have confirmed that a cat, found in the island of Ruegen, off northern Germany, tested positive for the H5N1 bird flu virus strain. This is the first non-bird-animal to have become ill with bird flu in the European Union.

This disturbing news adds another dimension to the struggle against the spread of bird flu - and the avenues through which humans may be targeted by the virus. Virtually nobody in Western Europe lives with poultry inside their homes - but millions have their cats indoors.

For a human to catch bird flu we need lots of physical contact with the sick bird. For the moment, the H5N1 bird flu strain is difficult for a human to catch, even with physical contact.

The bird flu (H5N1) virus has made its way across the world from Vietnam, in South East Asia, to Western Europe and West Africa.

In order for the virus to mutate it needs to pick up different genes. It could do this by infecting a human who has the normal flu. It could then exchange genetic information with the normal human flu virus and pick up its ability to spread easily among humans. If it manages to do this (mutate) and still keep hold of its virulence (potency, ability to kill) we could be facing a serious flu pandemic.

Written by: Christian Nordqvist
Editor: Medical News Today
Copyright: Medical News Today
Not to be reproduced without permission of Medical News Today

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