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H1N1 discovered in cat in Iowa
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In Iowa this week a reported transmission of H1N1 from human to cat was reported by ABC news. This news coupled with the near constant barrage of warnings about H1N1 conjures up imagery of the confusion and fear of diseases past.
The un-professional way that the media spread the word of “Swine Flu” in the spring led to a massive pig culling in Egypt. Hundreds of thousands of pigs were slaughtered, riots ensued and chaos reigned by the improper use of the name swine flu. This despite assurances, by the WHO, that pigs were flu free but only held the potential to ‘genetically re-assign’ the flu into its present form.
Will the now proven transference from human to cat (and the assumption of the reverse) lead to mass feline slaughter? Time will tell and hopefully we can rationally deal with that information. Much of the result of this story is on the shoulders of reporters and news sources. If they play this story as a headline and a new threat, there is that distinct possibility. Does this mean you should shun your cat as a plague bearer? Of course not.
Even the earliest reports on this story seem to reflect that the people involved know this. They refuse to divulge what species of cat it was or even its color. They name the vet but not the family. They seem aware that this news could lead to even more hysteria.
So pet your cat and wash your hands. Wash your hands as much as you can in fact it’s the first best defense against H1N1. Don’t spread hysteria any more than you spread the flu the sensational news sources want you to be in a panic about.
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