The bird flu has reached Germany - and cats can catch it, too! :(

[Kirsten]

It has also reached France; I think - and the German continent. And most of the migratory birds haven't even arrived yet!

Kirsten

[Kirsten]

I always think is BS, do you feel the same?

Yes, I think so, too. I don't think they have a clue what to do if the worst case scenario (mutation of the virus with a possible transmission from human to human) happens. They cannot even start working on a vaccine before the virus mutates!

It's really scary and I read today that the virus is now acting more aggressive than in the past, so I think mutation is very likely.

I read an article today that politicians consider to cancel the soccer world cup in case the virus mutates to the human form.

Kirsten

[Kirsten]

Yep, that's true!

BTW, forgot to say: Yes, I think it may be because of the bird flu that they took blood from your hubby. Usually they don't do that when you have the flu. I had a very bad one in December and I "only" got antibiotics.

Hope your hubby is feeling better meanwhile!

Kirsten

[Maya & Inka's mommy]

It reached Belgium too How scary!!

Hey, are you sure that cats can get it too? How did you find out? And, HOW can the get it?

[Catty1]

I heard an interview with the head of the WHO in Vietnam today. They have had not one outbreak of the bird flu in any poultry in 3 months!

The government there went on a massive vaccination program!

I think cats would catch it by eating or chewing on a bird who had the virus.

But I am not 100% sure.

Let's hope other governments start vaccinations - and maybe there will be one for our pets too!

[icedtea]

i hope your kitties are all safe. i hope you do all you can to keep peggy nside. she will get over her homesickness for the outside if you play with her etc.

[Kirsten]

Hey, are you sure that cats can get it too? How did you find out? And, HOW can the get it?

Lut, there are lots of articles on the internet regarding cats and the avian flu.

http://news.nationalgeographic.com/n...2_birdflu.html

http://www.newscientist.com/article.ns?id=dn6352

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/5897967/

http://effectmeasure.blogspot.com/20...-bird-flu.html

http://money.cnn.com/2005/10/20/news/midcaps/banfield/

It's very scary, I know!

And yes, they can pick up the virus from eating infected birds.

and this brings me to another question: if someone has the normal flue, can an indoor pet get it from you ?

Farruska, I'm not sure, but I think I read somewhere that they can get the flu from us, but it depends on the type of the virus, I think...

i hope you do all you can to keep peggy nside. she will get over her homesickness for the outside if you play with her etc.

icedtea, Peggy is not my cat, she's my mother's cat and lives in her home. If she would live with me, she wouldn't be allowed to go outside. I had many arguments with my mother in the past because of this, but unfortunately, she won't listen to me.

Kirsten

[kb2yjx]

Our vet said cats cannot catch our colds, none can they give us a cold. Dare I go out on a limb and say they cannot get the flu from us??? Although, at our house, neither Barry nor I have been ill, and the some of the cats act as if they are under the weather, ie, lethargic, not eating, sleeping alot, craving heat, and in the next day or two they are fine and back to their old selves. I have made a strict habit of NEVER EVER coming into the house with the shoes that I wear to the clinic and hospital!!! The shoes are kept in the garage!!! I thought about that once and wonder what kind of germs I was exposing them to by coming in the house with my work shoes!!
This bird flu is sure getting scary! Kirsten, thanks for all those sites to review!!!

[Kirsten]

I just heard the bad news...

It's scary stuff!

I hope that people won't panic now and try to get rid of their cats. But it would definitely be a good idea to keep them inside to protect them.

Kirsten