WHO downplays bird flu in cats

Sun, 22 Feb 2004, 00:00 WIB | Source: AP

THAILAND: The appearance of bird flu in domestic cats in Thailand
is not likely to increase the current risk to human health from
the virus that has swept through Asia, killing millions of birds
and at least 22 people, the World Health Organization said.

Bird flu killed three house cats near Bangkok, Thai officials
reported on Friday. Health experts are concerned that if bird flu
sickens other animals, it could mutate into a strain more easily
passed on to humans.

In a report posted on its website, WHO tried to quell
concerns that infections in cats by the H5N1 bird flu virus would
increase the risk to people. -- AP

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