How to Protect Your Cats (and Backyard Chickens) From Bird Flu
1 min read
Summary
Bird flu, specifically the H5N1 strain, has been found in poultry flocks across the US and has led to a soar in egg prices.
The virus has also spread to cattle, with almost 1,000 US dairy herds affected, and is suspected to have spread widely among wild birds, dogs and cats.
Although the number of US pets reported to have the flu is relatively low, the virus is easy to catch via contaminated feed or surfaces, or on the fur or feathers of other animals.
There is a recall on some raw pet food due to the deaths of two cats in Oregon that ate the contaminated food.
Backyard chickens are also a risk as the virus can be caught via contaminated surfaces, animals or droppings.
The best way to avoid the virus is to keep pets away from sick animals and to wash hands and clothing after handling animals.
There is a concern that the virus can spread from animals to humans, and one person in the US has died from the virus.
However, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention say the risk to humans is currently low.
