(BCN) — After chicken flu was detected in a stray cat in Half Moon Bay this week, well being officers in San Mateo County are urging pet house owners to contact a veterinarian if their pet reveals any signs of the virus.
A household had taken within the cat, and when it appeared sick, they took it to the Peninsula Humane Society. Veterinarians examined it and lab outcomes on Tuesday confirmed the cat had H5N1, or avian influenza, based on San Mateo County well being officers.
It isn’t identified how the cat grew to become contaminated, however county officers stated the cat’s sickness is not linked to a latest chicken flu case confirmed in yard poultry in San Mateo. The cat was euthanized because of its situation.
Cats might be uncovered to H5N1 from consuming an contaminated chicken, being in environments contaminated with the virus, consuming uncooked meals and ingesting unpasteurized milk from contaminated cows. Indoor pets that go exterior may also be in danger for an infection, county officers stated.
Chook flu present in yard poultry flock in San Mateo County
The household that took within the stray cat hasn’t proven indicators of sickness, based on the county. The Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention advises that the danger of cats spreading H5N1 to individuals is extraordinarily low, however stated it’s potential for cats to unfold some strains of chicken flu to people.
If a pet is displaying indicators of the sickness and has been uncovered to contaminated (sick or lifeless) wild birds or poultry, pet house owners ought to contact a veterinarian and monitor their very own well being for indicators of fever or an infection.
“We all want to make sure our companion animals are healthy and safe from disease,” stated Lori Morton-Feazell, San Mateo County’s chief of Animal Management and Licensing. “If your pet is sick, your veterinarian can determine whether it should be tested for bird flu or any other virus or disease.”
County officers stated the feline case is not linked to a case of H5N1 present in a San Mateo yard poultry flock, which well being officers confirmed on Tuesday.
Whereas there are at present no human circumstances of H5N1 linked to the yard flock, county officers are urging poultry house owners to be vigilant for indicators of the virus and to take applicable measures, corresponding to washing fingers earlier than and after dealing with birds and disinfecting footwear.
“It’s important for residents who keep chickens and other birds in their yards to protect their flock and themselves from H5N1,” stated Koren Widdel, the county’s agricultural commissioner.
“There are simple actions every flock owner can take to prevent the disease from spreading.”Avian influenza is widespread amongst wild birds and is inflicting outbreaks in poultry and U.S. dairy cows, with a number of latest circumstances reported in dairy and poultry employees.
There have been 67 reported human circumstances of chicken flu within the U.S., together with 38 in California. Nationwide, one demise has been attributed to the virus, based on the CDC.Residents whose pets present indicators of sickness ought to contact their veterinarian.
Some signs of pets with H5N1 could also be a lack of urge for food, lethargy and fever, together with neurologic indicators that embody circling, tremors, seizures or blindness. The sickness might rapidly progress to discharge from eyes or nostril, and respiratory indicators corresponding to speedy shallow respiration, problem respiration and sneezing or coughing. Pets with extreme sickness might die.
Extra details about chicken flu might be discovered on the CDC web site.
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