Bird Flu Jumped to Cats From Dairy Workers, Study Suggests

A recent study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) published on Thursday suggests that two dairy workers in Michigan may have transmitted bird flu to their pet cats last May. The researchers found that the cats in one household, which had been in contact with the infected workers, may have contracted the virus. The study raises concerns about the potential transmission of the virus from infected animals to humans, although the evidence is limited. The results were originally scheduled for publication in January but faced delays due to the previous administration's restrictions on CDC communications.

Transmission of Bird Flu to Pets

The findings of this study highlight the importance of understanding the potential pathways of zoonotic diseases, especially in the context of animal-human interactions. The delayed publication of the study and its subsequent appearance in a paper on California wildfires raised questions about the transparency and timely communication of public health findings. Public health experts had called for the release of the study, emphasizing the need for timely dissemination of crucial health information.