Bird Flu Detected in Dutch Cat, Minister Urges Vigilance
The Hague, netherlands – The Netherlands has reported its first confirmed case of bird flu in a domestic cat, prompting a call for heightened awareness from Minister Carola Schouten.A kitten on a farm where dairy goats are also kept died after contracting the virus, likely through exposure to a wild bird carcass brought to its nest by its mother.
According to reports, the deceased kitten was the only one remaining from its litter on the farm. The mother cat and three other adult cats present on the property were examined by the Dutch Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority and showed no signs of infection. Tragically, seven other kittens from the same litter died after being rehomed, with bird flu suspected as the cause of death in those cases as well.
Authorities believe the initial infection stemmed from the mother cat bringing an infected wild bird carcass back to the nest. Owners who adopted the kittens have tested negative for bird flu and currently exhibit no symptoms. Despite this, Minister Schouten described the “current bird flu situation [as] very worrying.”
This marks the first instance of a Dutch cat dying from the bird flu virus. While cases of cats exhibiting bird flu-consistent symptoms and succumbing to the virus have been reported internationally – including in France, Poland, Italy, Canada, the United States, and South Korea – this is a novel progress within the Netherlands.
The Minister emphasized that while the risk of infection in cats and other mammals remains low, vigilance is crucial. Cat owners are advised to immediately consult a veterinarian and implement strict hygiene measures if their pet displays symptoms such as fever, wheezing or shortness of breath, lethargy, eye inflammation, runny nose, redness of the eyes, or neurological signs like trembling or an unsteady gait.
“The fact that kittens,like other mammals,can become infected with the bird flu virus is not new,” Minister Schouten stated,reinforcing the need for continued caution. She urged both cat owners and individuals who encounter wild birds to adhere to established safety protocols.
This development underscores the ongoing spread of avian influenza and the potential for cross-species transmission, prompting ongoing monitoring and preventative measures across the Netherlands.
