Bird flu from cats - a new global threat?

Expert: bird flu virus transmitted from cats may become dangerous for humans

The bird flu virus detected in domestic cats in several European countries and the USA has a high potential for interspecies transmission and may pose a serious threat to humans. This was reported to "Izvestia" by Alexander Ginzburg, director of the Gamaleya National Research Center for Epidemiology and Microbiology.

According to the specialist, the pathogen is highly contagious and can cause severe forms of the disease. Ginzburg compared the possible outbreak of infection to the smallpox epidemic and called for the urgent development of a vaccine prototype against the H5N1 strain.

"A vaccine prototype is needed. The mortality rate from infection with this virus is 50 to 70%, and if airborne transmission begins, smallpox will seem harmless compared to the consequences of possible mutations," he noted.

The scientist emphasized that the preparation must undergo clinical trials of the first and second phases in case the virus begins to be transmitted not only from animals to humans but also between humans. Such a prototype will allow, in case of a threat, to quickly - within 3-4 weeks - establish mass production of the vaccine and introduce it into civilian circulation.

However, according to Ginzburg, no such developments are currently being conducted at the Gamaleya Center, and Russia lacks a unified state program that would coordinate the efforts of scientists and manufacturers of vaccines of this type.

The bird flu outbreak has already affected the USA, where the virus has spread to poultry farms, causing mass deaths. Some regions of the country are experiencing an egg shortage.

Bird flu is an acute viral disease that affects the respiratory and digestive systems of birds. The infection is characterized by high mortality and can be transmitted to humans.