Cuddling cats could be deadly

Caused by bacteria transmitted from cat to cat by fleas, humans risk contracting the disease by kissing or nuzzling cats, or by being scratched or bitten.

Anyone who has ever tried to do just that with a seemingly cute and cuddly cat knows what it’s like to get a very clear “don’t touch me” message in the form of a bite or a scratch. Clinical diagnosis in cats, according to research from the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), is hard because cats who are chronically infected appear healthy.

Dr. Christina Nelson of the CDC said: “Cat-scratch is preventable”.

A new Centers for Disease Control and Prevention study suggests that the bacterial infection cat-scratch disease may have a deeper and more deadly impact on people than originally thought.

Kittens and stray cats are more likely to carry the disease.

Birmingham is a city of cat lovers – but scientists are warning you can love them too much. When cats bite and scratch at the fleas, the bacteria is picked up in their mouth and nails. Illness occurs approximately 3 to 14 days after infection.

Most infected cats show absolutely no signs of illness, but sometimes can suffer from inflammation of the heart and other areas, which may be identified by a veterinarian. But, the study found an increase in people suffering from serious side effects.

The number of cases were highest in children ages 5 to 9 followed by women ages 60 to 64. The National Institute of Health’s (NIH) website reported that the CDC will be publishing a new report on CSD in the October issue of the Journal of Infectious Diseases. Cases were more prevalent among those who live in southern states, likely because these are warmer regions where fleas can flourish more. Around 35 percent of cats in the US are infected with the Bartonella henselae bacterium, although most cats don’t end up passing the disease to people.

Owners are being advised to wash their hands after touching cats – and to use flea control methods where possible. The disease is caused by the bacteria Bartonella henselae spread by fleas.

She added: “CSD causes a substantial burden of disease nationwide and disproportionately affects children”. Results showed that each year, about 12,000 people are diagnosed with the illness and 500 require hospitalization.

If a cat is particularly prone to biting or scratching, it’s best to keep it away from small children, the elderly, or anyone with a compromised immune system, Nelson said, since they are more at risk of developing complications from cat-scratch disease.