Cat owners put on alert in bird flu zone

Pet owners living within a 3km radius (1.86 mile) of the bird flu outbreak in England should keep their cats indoors, according to the British government’s advice.

The Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs also recommends that dogs be kept on leads within the protection zone.

In rare cases it is possible for cats which have been in contact with infected dead birds to catch avian flu.

This is thought to be caused by cats eating dead birds infected with the H5N1 strain.

The first recorded case of a domestic cat dying from avian influenza was in Thailand in 2004. The first cat to die of the disease in Europe was reported in Germany last year.

“It is rare for cats to be infected with H5N1 avian influenza virus and there are very few confirmed reports of the disease in normal circumstances. There is no evidence of active infection in dogs,” according to Defra’s advice.

As a precautionary measure, cat and dog owners are advised to follow the same guidance in areas where wild birds congregate – such as wetlands.

Defra says pet owners concerned about the health of their animals should contact a vet.