Bird Flu Virus Now Infects Cats, New Suspected Cases Reported in Seoul

Bird flu virus has infected two cats in Seoul last week, adding to the emerging phenomenon that the bird-borne disease can now infect cats. On Monday, July 31, new suspected cases of the avian influenza pathogen involving cats have been reported in South Korea's capital city, according to local media reports. The recent cases add to the growing threat that the avian disease has also infected mammals.

The global bird flu outbreak in recent years saw the deaths of multiple domestic and wild birds in the United States and other parts of the world, including Europe and Asia. While previous outbreaks of the same virus or related mutations occurred in previous decades, modern cases include other animal groups, including the vertebrate mammals.

Seoul Bird Flu Infections

In the latest spate of Seoul bird flu infections, suspected cases of three cats being infected with the avian influenza virus occurred four days after two cats were confirmed to have incurred the virus at an animal shelter in the South Korean capital, according to reports on Saturday, July 29, the Asia News Network (ANN) reported.

According to local authorities, no person has made physical contact with the cats that has shown bird flu symptoms. The new cases were detected at a cat shelter in Gwanak-gu in Seoul, the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs stated, as cited by ANN.

Bird Flu in Mammals

The transition of the bird flu virus from birds to mammals is significant since it shows that pathogen's ability to mutate and adapt to changing biological environment. With this, scientists in recent years have shown concern that such transition could lead to more mammal species, including us Homo sapiens.

The cases in Seoul are only some of the recent bird flu infections in cats and mammals in general. Last month, about 29 cats were found to be positive with the avian influenza virus, a strain similar to those found in birds, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), as cited by UN News.

The WHO lists some of the following known mammal species to have been infected by the avian influenza outbreak:

• Ferret
• Mink
• European otter
• North American river otter
• Marine otter
• European badger
• Skunk
• Virginia opossum
• Amur leopard
• Amur tiger
• Mountain lion
• Fisher
• European polecat
• Lynx
• Bobcat
• Domestic cat
• Red fox
• Coyote
• Dogs
• Caspian seals

Bird Flu Symptoms

Bird flu, as mentioned earlier, is an infectious disease prevalent amongst birds. However, it is specifically caused by avian influenza A viruses, which can be spread by an infected bird from its saliva, mucus, and even feces, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

The virus can kill an individual or an entire poultry flock within 48 hours. For birds, mild symptoms can include ruffled feathers or a decrease in egg production, the CDC adds. For humans, bird flu symptoms include cough, fever, head age, sore throat, fatigue, and shortness of breath.