American scientists have discovered that the H5N1 strain of bird flu has found a “bridge” and can now infect humans through cats. Researchers are concerned that this strain is particularly dangerous, as in 50% of cases it leads to the death of an infected pet.
Scientists from the University of Maryland have announced that the H5N1 strain of bird flu has learned to overcome species barriers. It uses cats as a “bridge” and is then transmitted to humans.
In doing so, the disease is often mistaken for rabies because it causes acute encephalitis.
Scientists are also concerned that cats can contract bird flu not only by eating sick birds, but also other mammals infected with the virus by drinking milk. Statistics show that in 50% of cases, pets infected with bird flu die.
According to the researchers, the strain can mutate and further learn to be transmitted by airborne droplets. At the same time, the lack of systematic monitoring of cats makes it difficult to assess the real scale of the threat.
Earlier, bird flu was detected in sheep. An epidemic of bird flu was also noted in the Netherlands.