Cat Infected With Bird Flu H5N1 - Germany
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http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/sections/birdflu
28 Feb 2006 - 15:00pm (UK)
German experts (Friedrich Loeffler Institute) have confirmed
that a cat, found in the island of Ruegen, off northern Germany,
tested positive for the H5N1 bird flu virus strain. This is the
first non-bird-animal to have become ill with bird flu in the
European Union.
This disturbing news adds another dimension to the struggle
against the spread of bird flu - and the avenues through which
humans may be targeted by the virus. Virtually nobody in Western
Europe lives with poultry inside their homes - but millions have
their cats indoors.
For a human to catch bird flu we need lots of physical contact
with the sick bird. For the moment, the H5N1 bird flu strain is
difficult for a human to catch, even with physical contact.
The bird flu (H5N1) virus has made its way across the world from
Vietnam, in South East Asia, to Western Europe and West Africa.
In order for the virus to mutate it needs to pick up different
genes. It could do this by infecting a human who has the normal
flu. It could then exchange genetic information with the normal
human flu virus and pick up its ability to spread easily among
humans. If it manages to do this (mutate) and still keep hold of
its virulence (potency, ability to kill) we could be facing a
serious flu pandemic.
Written by: Christian Nordqvist
Editor: Medical News Today
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