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My girlfriend brought in a new cat to her home and unfortunately the new kittie may have herpes, according to our vet. I live in a different apartment, five doors down from hers, and have my own cats. How likely is it a PERSON can carry feline herpes from an infected cat, travel a short distance to another home, and infect another cat there by petting it? What precautions do I need to take for the cats in my house? Thanks a lot.
This is what I found
Quote:
Feline rhinotracheitis virus (feline herpesvirus type 1 or FHV-1) causes acute respiratory illness known as rhinotracheitis (or feline herpesvirus infection). The virus affects domestic and wild cats worldwide.
Both feline rhinotracheitis virus and calicivirus are spread through contact with the discharge from the eyes and nose of an infected cat. This usually occurs through direct cat-to-cat contact. Food dishes, hands, bedding etc., which have been contaminated with infected discharge, can transmit these viruses from one cat to another.
MooShoo had a herpes virus in his eyes causing him to be blind in one eye and having partial vision in the left. None of my other cats have caught it. I guess it's all based on whether the virus is ACTIVE or not.
Many adult kitties are naturally immune to it, and you can check to see if herpes is part of the combo shot most kitties get.