Did you know there are flu viruses that spread in animals and that can spread to people? Dr. James Kile is a public health veterinarian and lead of the Animal-Human Interface Team in CDC's Flu Division. Dr. Kile fights flu by providing expertise on animal and zoonotic flu viruses and disease. His work focuses on preventing the spread of flu from animals to people to prevent future flu pandemics.
Bird Flu in Pets and Other Animals Bird flu viruses mainly infect wild birds/poultry, but some bird flu viruses can infect other animals too, such as those that eat infected birds/poultry. Bird flu viruses have been found in foxes, skunks, cats, dogs, & other mammals. While it’s unlikely that people would be infected through contact with an infected mammal, it’s possible—especially if the exposure is prolonged and unprotected.
Reports of H5 #birdflu viruses in some mammals are not surprising given widespread outbreaks in wild birds. Risk to the general public is low, but people who get sick after contact w/potentially infected sick or dead animals should call their health department: https://bit.ly/3zY8L6x
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