What can be done to prevent cats from catching bird flu?

The avian influenza virus is highly pathogenic and not only attacks birds, such as poultry, but also cattle and other farm and domestic animals, such as dogs and cats, said Jesús Marín, an academic from the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Husbandry at UNAM.

In cats, the virus is particularly deadly. According to specialists in infectious diseases in cats and small dogs, nearly two-thirds of infected cats die.

At least here in Mexico there have been no cases in cats, but we must be alert to the clinical manifestations, because it is a disease for which there is still no vaccine for felines.

"There are other respiratory diseases that affect cats, such as herpesvirus infections, known as feline viral rhinotracheitis, which is also fatal. Or calicivirus infections, which are also highly pathogenic, and there are highly virulent strains that cause pneumonia and mortality. We do have a vaccine for this virus," he noted.

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"We know the avian influenza virus as H5N1, and it's perhaps worth remembering its classification," the researcher said. "The letters H (hemagglutinin) and N (neuraminidase) are two proteins found on the surface of the virus and recognized by the immune system. There are 16 H-type antigens and nine N-type antigens, and when multiplied, we find 144 subtypes. H5N1 is one of those subtypes," he mentioned.

The problem with this type of virus is its great capacity to mutate. It changes very quickly. Its antigens are changing very frequently.

"Since this virus comes from birds, which are its natural host, one might think that the possibility of it affecting cats would be minimal, but there were two mutations that gave the virus the ability to infect cats and many mammals, such as cows. That's why some cats in the United States are now becoming infected from cow's milk," he explained.

She explained that, although cats in Mexico are given pasteurized cow's milk, sometimes on dairy farms, they are given milk straight from the udder during milking. "YouTube videos show these scenes and find it very funny that the kitten is drinking cow's milk," she noted.

But this unpasteurized milk can transmit many diseases to cats, including avian flu. For this reason, we should not feed cats raw milk (milk that isn't pasteurized) or raw meat. Remember that pasteurization kills this type of virus.

In the case of cats, there are other habits that are not recommended. For example, feeding them raw meat from the market increases the risk because it could expose them to meat contaminated with the virus or other pathogens.

"But there's also a very high risk in feeding them what are known as BARF (Biologically Appropriate Raw Food) diets, which are processed foods. Commercial products that are supposedly safe for consumption. These BARF diets, or raw diets, can also be a source of avian flu, among other things."

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Those who promote these foods claim that they are very good because they are raw meat like what a carnivore eats in their environment. "Yes, but let's remember that carnivores in the wild live shorter lives than domestic animals, precisely because they are exposed to these types of infectious agents."

Jesús Marín recommended some measures to prevent cats from contracting the virus: "We shouldn't let cats go outside because the disease is serious. Although it causes fever, it's not just a respiratory infection. The virus attacks many of the cat's systems, but the nervous system is one of the most affected: it causes encephalitis and seizures, but it also affects the spleen, liver, and pancreas. It's a systemic problem, which is why it's so serious."

Although it varies, the kitten dies four or five days after infection with the virus. Some animals can resist the virus and not die, but in general, mortality is high when there have been outbreaks in animals with H5N1.

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