A spokeswoman for the Austrian’s Regional Government Minister of Agriculture in Styria has confirmed that several cats are infected with the virulent H5N1 bird flu virus strain.
Styria is in the south of Austria.
Last week a cat died of bird flu infection in Germany.
Cat protection organisations in France and Germany have expressed concern after people started abandoning their cats.
To date, experts say that it is difficult for cats to become infected with the bird flu virus. Not that many have been found in south east Asia, where bird flu has established itself for over two years. However, many fear the low reported numbers may be due to lack of resources – most veterinarians in south east Asia have been concentrating on farmed poultry, wild birds and the 190 human cases.
In France and Germany people who live near areas where bird flu has been confirmed have been instructed to keep their cats indoors.
Cats become infected when they consume parts of a dead, infected bird.
At medical news today we have had many enquiries by pet dog, cat and bird owners – asking what to do with their pets and how to protect them (and themselves). We have checked with various sources and the prevailing message seems to be that a cat has a low risk of becoming infected. However, as I mentioned above, who knows how many cats have gone undetected in parts of south east Asia.
Written by: Christian Nordqvist
Editor: Medical News Today