Bird Flu Kills Twenty Big Cats; Concerns Rise Over Human Transmission
A highly pathogenic avian influenza outbreak at Washington’s Wild Felid Advocacy Center resulted in the deaths of twenty big cats, including a tiger and cougars, between late November and mid-December. The virus, also affecting cats elsewhere in the US, spread rapidly, causing pneumonia-like symptoms and death within 24 hours in many cases. The sanctuary is under quarantine, undergoing disinfection and food removal, while officials investigate the source, which may be linked to contaminated pet food. The incident highlights the virus’s ability to spread among different animal species, though limited human cases have been reported.
John Q. Hosedrinker