Killer cat virus not seen for four decades hits Sydney- should cat owners be worried?
WITH a city pound closed to intake due to a virus not seen for 40 years, should Sydney feline owners be worried?
Manly
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CAT owners who’ve kept up with their feline’s annual vaccinations don’t need to worry about the outbreak of a deadly virus.
But if you’re feeding a stray, or haven’t made sure your cats had annual vaccination, you should contact a vet.
Jane Vine from Allambie said while there had been no cases of feline panleukopenia virus, known as feline enteritis, on the northern beaches, owners should be aware.
“They’re really only at risk if they’re not up to date with vaccinations or if they’ve never had a vaccination course,” she said.
“Then, if they did come in contact with the virus they’re unlikely to get very ill.”
Blacktown Council’s Animal Holding Facility has closed to cats after the outbreak
“This is a highly contagious, life-threatening viral disease for the cat population ... It has not been seen in Sydney for some 40 years, and many people have therefore stopped vaccinating against it,” Blacktown Mayor Stephen Bali said in a statement
“As a result, it is now attacking a largely unprotected cat population.”
It spreads through cats in close contact with each other.
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