The answer is simple at this moment. To be specific , it can be Yes. The possibility of your indoor cat contracting the Avian Flu is slim (at this moment in the USA). The best thing you can do is to bring you cat for biannual exam, and discuss with your veterinarian risk assessment for your cat(s). Here some of the best articles you may want review. http://www.who.int/csr/don/2004_02_20/en/ , http://www.cidrap.umn.edu/cidrap/content/influenza/avianflu/news/sep0304cats.html , http://www.cdc.

If viruses change then so does the host susceptibility but there has been no significant evidence of onwards transmission. Although there is some experimental evidence that the virus could spread from cat to cat, there is considerable uncertainty about whether this would take place in a natural setting.

The elderly, the very young, and those with compromised immune systems have the greatest risks of contracting bird flu. Proximity to the virus in infected birds is necessary as well. The risk from bird flu is generally low for most people because the virus occurs mainly among birds and does not usually infect humans.

present, the H5N1 avian flu is not known to be here in the United States. Those with pet birds, such as parrots, cockatiels, love birds or budgies should not worry about their pets getting "bird flu" if they have not been out of the country or in contact with birds from other countries. In order to protect your pet birds from other avian diseases, keep your birds isolated from wild birds. Isolation of newly acquired or ill birds from others for 30 days is recommended.

To date, the high pathogenic H5N1 strain of the avian flu virus has resulted in the deaths of millions of domestic birds. Despite the millions of people who have had close contact with domestic fowl during the past 10 years in Asia, just over 325 people have been infected worldwide. This is an extremely low rate of infection. However, human health officials are concerned with the greater than 50 percent mortality rate of people that have been infected.

No poultry or poultry products from countries affected with the H5N1 avian flu are legally allowed to enter the United States.

The Fairfax County Department of Human Resources is currently preparing the official policy regarding this question. It is certainly our desire that any employee remain at home while they are contagious or ill with an avian influenza infection. We would not expect that an employee would report to work while sick under normal conditions, and that expectation would hold particularly true during the time they are attempting to recover from an avian flu virus.

Avian influenza (AI) typically affects species of food producing birds (chickens, turkeys, quails, guinea fowl, etc.), as well as pet birds and wild birds. Studies have shown that a small number of mammalian species, including pigs, seals, whales, mink, and ferrets, are susceptible to natural infection with AI viruses. You can also find the telephone number of your local CFIA office by consulting the blue pages of your local phone directory.

Avian flu or “bird flu” normally infects birds, although these bird strains can sometimes infect small numbers of humans who come in close contact with them. Sometimes – not always – these bird strains can become more easily transmitted to people. If that happens, and the strain changes enough to become easily transmissible between people, it can result in a pandemic – a global circulation of a strain that really hasn’t been seen in people before.

For our clients and their cats, the answer is not so simple. So far in the united States there is no reported cases we know of. But the general answer is YES, please review this article http://www.vet.cornell.edu/FHC/resources/madcow.htm .

To date, the high pathogenic Asian H5N1 strain of the avian flu virus has resulted in the deaths of millions of domestic birds. Despite the millions of people who have had close contact with domestic fowl during the past nine years in Asia, more than 320 people have been infected worldwide. This is an extremely low rate of infection. However, human health officials are concerned with the 61 percent mortality rate of people that have been infected.

Illness with the H5N1 avian flu has been reported among domestic and exotic cats in Asia, which is unusual. Since the H5N1 avian flu virus has not been identified in Arizona or the United States, dogs and cats which may capture wild birds are not at risk for this disease.

Avian influenza, or avian flu, is a common, naturally occurring virus in birds that has many forms or subtypes. Scientists believe all birds are susceptible to infection by some form of avian flu. Some birds, like waterfowl, can be infected with the virus but develop no signs of illness. In addition, the potency (virulence) varies greatly among the various subtypes of the avian flu virus.

Yes. However, there is no risk to pets in the United States as this time, as H5N1 avian flu has not been seen here yet. When it does appear, you should seek the advice of public health and wildlife authorities about appropriate protections to take. Please call your local United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services office at 1-866-4-USDA-WS . Do not touch thebirds unless you have to. If you have to touch them, use strong, waterproof gloves and wash your hands and arms afterwards.

There is no evidence to date that cats can spread H5N1 to humans. No cases of avian influenza in humans have been linked to exposure to sick cats, and no outbreaks among populations of cats have been reported. All of the influenza A (H5N1) infections in cats reported to date appear to have been associated with outbreaks in domestic or wild birds and acquired through ingestion of raw infected meat.

Although cats are not usually susceptible to influenza type A infections, results of a research study published in September 20041 demonstrated that domestic cats can become infected with the H5N1 highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) virus and are capable of transmitting the virus to other cats. In February 2006, authorities in Germany reported that a domestic cat had died from H5N1 HPAI infection.

Outbreaks of respiratory illness (flu, Avian flu, SARS) occur throughout the world. Most do not result in spread to our local community. Peel Health monitors the situation within our community and worldwide. For the latest information on Avian flu activity, check out Health Canada's Information for Travellers Travel Health Advisory For a fact sheet on Avian flu, check out the website for the World Health Organization (WHO) Avian Influenza Fact sheet

There is no vaccine for humans against avian flu. The vaccine against human influenza virus does not protect against avian flu.

Currently, there is an outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in Asia and Eastern Europe. This influenza virus, which is of H5N1 type, is highly pathogenic to most domestic birds, that is, it kills many of thosethat become infected. It has also infected some people, and has killed about half of those who are known to be infected. (H and N types refer to the specific strain. There are several different types of avian influenza,and they are identified by these H and N components.

The federal government has established a Web site for avian flu that provides a central source of information on management of the virus. The site confirms the involvement of the federal agencies in the monitoring of and response to emerging information and offers links to relevant avian flu information.

Efforts are underway to develop an effective one for H5N1 virus. The U.S. has put in an order for several million doses of this experimental vaccine. However, governments face the dilemma that this vaccine might not be effective against a new strain of this virus when and if it makes the leap from man to man. We face the same dilemma with antiviral medications. When and if we experience a flu pandemic, we hope a vaccine will be ready in time.

this time, the risk to most people from avian flu is low. If you are planning to visit areas affected by avian flu, please see the information for travelers. Practice good health habits everyday: wash your hands frequently and cover your mouth if you cough or sneeze. For more personal hygiene tips, please see Fighting the Flu. Do not touch sick or dead birds and avoid touching bird droppings. If you touch a sick/dead bird or bird droppings, wash your hands with warm water and soap right away.

There is no cure for avian or seasonal flus. Because flus are caused by viruses, antibiotic treatment (which works against bacteria) is ineffective.

There are currently four medications (called "antivirals") for flu viruses: symmetrel, flumadine, tamiflu, and relenza. Antivirals may be effective for reducing the severity and duration of the flu. They can also be used to try and prevent the flu if someone has come in contact with flu viruses. However, the current avian flu virus (H5N1) is resistant to two of the available antiviral medications, symmetrel and flumadine.