Purrs In Our Hearts - Cat Forum UK

Cat General => General Cat Chat => Topic started by: Mark on November 07, 2009, 18:30:14 PM

Title: First case of cat catching swine-flu from owner.
Post by: Mark on November 07, 2009, 18:30:14 PM

http://abcnews.go.com/Health/SwineFluNews/iowa-cat-catches-swine-flu/story?id=8999295

This is really worrying as people might start getting rid of their cats thinking it might happen the other way round.

Title: Re: First case of cat catching swine-flu from owner.
Post by: Gill (sneakiefeline) on November 07, 2009, 18:35:11 PM

my goodness thats worrying cos no other flu has crossed from human to cat, i wonder if its mutating.

this is a worry if peeps without cats think that it may come back the other way and presumably it will be able to.

there are enough vigilantes out there hurting cats and we dont need any more.

this has so many horrific scenarios  :(

Title: Re: First case of cat catching swine-flu from owner.
Post by: Christine (Blip) on November 07, 2009, 19:31:22 PM

Quote from: Mark on November 07, 2009, 18:30:14 PM

This is really worrying as people might start getting rid of their cats thinking it might happen the other way round.

Well, human stupidity knows no bounds, I'm afraid.

Title: Re: First case of cat catching swine-flu from owner.
Post by: Angiew on November 08, 2009, 12:31:35 PM

It could just be a co-incidence.
Weren't cats supposed to be catching bird flu when they hunted in bird flu areas? Was that the same H1N1 strain?

Oh well,, add it to the allergy and moving home excuses.......

Title: Re: First case of cat catching swine-flu from owner.
Post by: blackcat on November 08, 2009, 20:22:54 PM

The real worry about inter-species transmission of the disease is that it means that the disease is capable of crossing those boundaries. That, in turn, means that it can pass from cat to cat, and eventually from cat to dog to bird to whatever else living is around. In the process its form of attack will alter also. This could be a good thing or a bad thing. Glad I am no longer living in crowded conditions.