Bird flu jumps to cats in Thailand

Three pet cats have died of bird flu and a white tiger has been infected by the virus at a zoo in Thailand, an official said today, raising concerns about the spread of the avian disease among mammals.

It was unclear whether the virus could spread from felines to humans, but the veterinarian who announced the latest confirmed infections advised people to avoid contact with pet cats in areas with poultry, which are at high risk of catching the disease.