• imoldgreeeg@aussie.zone
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      14 hours ago

      Different strain -H1N1 which is around and comes and goes and is obviously a big issue in a poultry farm. It spreads like the flu and my understanding is that if melbcat is not out catching birds the odd bit of dirt from outside is not going to be an issue.

      H5N1 is the strain that’s decimating birds worldwide currently but not yet here. There have been a few cases of it transmitting to mammals (like pigs and cows and seals I think). It’s effects in mammals are not really well known but worrying. If that starts doing the rounds then yeah it’s time to watch and act, mainly because we don’t know if, how, and how badly it might spread if it does get a grip in mammals.

      But for now, I’d say a small group of maggies on your side is probably safer than some of the other shite in your neighbourhood! I would enjoy it.

      • melbaboutown@aussie.zone
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        14 hours ago

        Nah H1N1 is swine flu which fizzled out in 2009/2010 and is endemic now. I’m worried about the newer virulent strains like H7N3 and H7N9 that have been known to pass between birds and cats, and have a high mortality rate in cats.

        Thankfully she’s an inside kitty already so hopefully it should be ok. I’ll be keeping an eye on the health of the maggies and other birds.