Can H5N1 Spread To Non-Avian Species? British Veterinary Association

Main Category: Bird Flu / Avian Flu
Also Included In: Veterinary
Article Date: 01 Mar 2006 - 16:00 PDT

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A case of H5N1 in a domestic cat in Germany has highlighted concerns that the virus could spread to non-avian species. This is not a new finding as a few cases of infection in cats have been recorded over the past 2-3 years in SE Asia in both domestic and wild cats.

It is known that domestic and wild cats can become infected and killed by H5N1 (both experimentally and naturally) by eating infected raw bird carcases. However current strains of the virus appear to be inefficient at infecting non-avian species and very few cases of H5N1 in non-avian species have been recorded - making this a very rare event.

Horizontal transmission of H5N1 has been seen in cats (cat-to-cat) under experimental conditions however, there has been no evidence of transmission of the disease from cats to humans.

It is important to stress that the UK is currently free of HPAI, therefore the risk of a cat in the UK becoming infected is extremely low, and the current literature suggests that a spread to humans from cats is unlikely.

- BVA statement on the use of vaccination (as a control option for avian influenza)

- Updated BVA Policy Brief - February 2006

- BVA Guidance to the Veterinary Profession

- Advice on how to protect your birds. Defra biosecurity guidance for poultry keepers, a list of possible control methods and advice on assessing risks of avian influenza where poultry are kept can be found on the Defra Web Site.

BRITISH VETERINATY ASSOCIATION

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