A new infection is spreading among cats, causing death in two-thirds of them.

The avian influenza virus is highly variable, occurring in birds but also capable of infecting other species. What can we do to prevent it? According to the Hungarian Ornithological Society, the H5N1 avian influenza is often a symptomless disease in domestic and wild birds. However, it can have a severe course, causing mass deaths and thus significant damage. Infected birds excrete the virus through bodily fluids, feces, and shed skin cells. Influenza viruses are not resistant to environmental factors; sunlight, desiccation, or soapy substances neutralize them. Cool, moist weather favors their spread. They can remain infectious in aerosols for days, in water or manure for weeks. Shedding feathers can keep the virus infectious for extended periods. Animals can become infected through direct contact, by inhaling the virus, consuming contaminated feed, or drinking contaminated water. Among wild bird species, waterfowl are particularly prone to infection. Scavengers and predatory ...