Cat deaths at temple indicates cat flu outbreak
The initial probe into the deaths of several cats abandoned at a temple in Angthong province has revealed that they died of cat flu disease, a provincial livestock official said on Monday.
Krissana Komonchan said the remaining cats at Wat Khao Kaew in Pho Thong district, which appeared to have symptoms, were given antibiotic injections. No cure is available for the disease and all that can be done is to treat the symptoms.
The official was speaking after visiting the temple Monday to check reports that felines abandoned at the temple had died of mysterious disease, possibly cat flu.
Krissana said the public should not worry as while the disease can spread between dogs and cats, it is not transmissible to humans.
This illness is caused by a virus that is spread via the saliva to unvaccinated cats or dogs in poor health and condition. The spread of the virus at the temple was the result of a lack of hygiene and the crowded living conditions of the animals.
“The virus can spread quickly in the temple because there is no quarantine or separation of the sick animals.”
An inspection showed that the dogs and cats at the temple have skin disease, making them vulnerable and easily infected by the virus.
Krissana said he would confirm the diagnoses by sending saliva and laboratory testing. The results of the tests are expected within eight to ten days.
A nun, Payao Inman, 58, who took care of the cats, had said there were previously about 200 cats at the temple but since last week, many had died at a rate of about two a day.
“Before they died, they would have sores on their bodies, coughs, runny noses, no appetite, and convulsions.
“If the disease hit a mother cat, it would claim the lives of the mother and the kittens,” the nun said. She added the symptoms seemed to fit those of cat flu disease.
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