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The World Health Organization (WHO) reports unusual deaths in cats fromavian influenza (H5N1) in Poland. 47 samples have been taken in cats, of which 29 have tested positive for influenza A (H5N1). 14 cats have been euthanized, and another 11 died. This is the first report with a large number of infected cats in a wide geographical area within a country.

Current outbreaks of avian influenza have caused devastation in some animal populations, including poultry, wild birds and some mammals (mink), and have damaged farmers' livelihoods and the food trade. Although they largely affect animals, these outbreaks pose ongoing risks to humans.

Currently, no symptoms have been reported in humans who have had contact with infected cats. Poland's national authorities have implemented a number of measures: they have asked owners of infected cats to monitor themselves and take a self-assessment questionnaire for 10 days from the last contact with the mammal.

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Of the 70 people who had contact and have completed the screening process, none reported symptoms. Therefore, the risk of infection in the general population from exposure to infected cats is low according to WHO, and low to moderate for cat owners and for those who work unprotected with them, such as veterinarians. Due to uncertainties related to this event, including the source of infection, the risk assessment may change.

Some cats developed severe symptoms, such as shortness of breath, bloody diarrhea and neurological signs, with rapid deterioration and death in some cases. In total, 20 cats had neurological signs, 19 had respiratory signs, and 17 had neurological and respiratory signs.

The source of exposure of cats to the virus is unknown and epizootic investigations are ongoing. There are several possibilities for the source of infection, among which cats could have had direct or indirect contact with infected birds or their environments, eaten infected birds or have eaten food contaminated with the virus.

All persons exposed to known infected poultry, wild birds or other animals, or to suspected farms, should be registered and under close supervision by local health authorities. This will facilitate the early detection of the disease and the timely management of clinical cases. If a person is suspected of having zoonotic influenza, health authorities should be notified and appropriate treatment of clinical cases should be provided.

Since late 2021, an unprecedented number of H5N1 outbreaks have been reported among poultry and wild birds worldwide. As of June 2023, the avian influenza virus has become dominant in Asia, Europe, the Americas and Africa. Also, there has been an increase in detections in non-avian species, including wild terrestrial species and marine mammals and, occasionally, in farmed or captive mammal species.

Due to the constantly evolving nature of influenza viruses, WHO continues to emphasize the importance of global surveillance to detect and monitor virological, epidemiological and clinical changes associated with emerging or circulating influenza viruses that may affect human (or animal) health and the timely exchange of viruses for risk assessment.

WHO continues to monitor the situation and work closely with the animal and public health sectors, regional agencies, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH) and other partner agencies in Poland.

Together they have published a situation analysis, advising countries on outbreaks of avian influenza and the risk it poses to human health. They indicate that the spread of the virus to five continents speaks to the need for global cooperation and to be vigilant to protect animals, people and economies.

WHAT ARE THE FIGURES FOR AVIAN INFLUENZA IN RECENT DECADES?

Since 2003, a cumulative number of 868 human cases, including 457 deaths, have been reported to the World Health Organization (WHO) in 21 countries, according to a report by the Coordination Center for Health Alerts and Emergencies (CCAES).

The two countries that have detected the most important outbreaks are Indonesia and Egypt. Indonesia, between 2005 and 2017 reported 368 cases, with a peak of 55 in 2006 and a case fatality rate of 46%. Egypt between 2006 and 2017 reported a total of 479 cases with a peak of 136 cases in 2015 and a case fatality rate of 25%. Since then, the detection of cases of influenza A(H5N1) in people has occurred sporadically worldwide. Between 2020 and 2022, the total number has been seven cases and two deaths.

  • WHO
  • Influenza
  • Infectious diseases
  • Respiratory diseases

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