Can Humans Catch Flu from Cats

Can Humans Catch Flu from Catsの全体像を詳しく解説してご紹介します。

There’s a rare bird flu called H7N2 that has, on very rare occasions, jumped from cats to humans. In 2016, a cat in a New York shelter caught it, and then one person who cleaned up after the cat got sick. The human sneezed, felt crummy, and recovered. That’s it. No global pandemic, no cat-zombie hordes. It’s like winning the lottery, but the prize is a sore throat and a weird story to tell.

The funny part? Cats can catch the flu from us. That’s right—you can give your cat your seasonal misery. Imagine your cat glaring at you while you sniffle, thinking, “Thanks for the plague, Kevin.” Studies show that in households where humans have the flu, about one in five cats get mild respiratory symptoms. It’s the ultimate revenge for all those hairballs.

What About That One Time in 2009?

During the 2009 H1N1 “swine flu” scare, a few cats tested positive. But here’s the kicker: They caught it from their humans, not the other way around. It was like a viral boomerang. Your cat is basically your very furry, very judgmental disease sponge. So if you’re sick, maybe don’t let Fluffy give you a “kiss” with that sandpaper tongue.

Cat flu in kittens - PDSA

And no, you won’t suddenly start nap like a cat or crave tuna. The flu virus doesn’t do personality swaps. That’s a relief, because I’ve seen how cats react to vacuum cleaners, and I don’t need that energy.