September 26, 2016.
Cat scratch disease spreads to humans not just from scratching, but after any form of contact with a cat. This disease remains very rare, but it can also be fatal.
Many felines are carriers of cat scratch disease
Not many cat owners know it, but their pets can pass a deadly infection to them. The latter are indeed almost all carriers of a disease that bears its wrong name: cat scratch disease.. The latter is not transmitted only in case of scratching, but can be triggered following any contact with your animal.
At the origin of this infection, a bacterium, Bartonella henselae. This is found in the ground and can infect your cat, who can then pass it on to you.. This is the result of a recent study conducted by researchers at the American Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
No fatal case has yet been recorded
This study, published in the journal CDC Emerging Infectuous Diseases, shows that 12,500 people are infected each year by this disease. While children aged 5 to 9 are the first victims of this infection, adults are not spared. When onset, the disease can manifest itself in various symptoms, including migraines, fever or strong feelings of fatigue.
Corn American scientists say cat scratch disease can also cause brain damage in humans, or infectious endocarditis, which can be fatal. To date, no case has been recorded but, as a precaution, the authors of this study recommend washing your hands frequently after having come into contact with a cat.
Read also: How does the allergy to cats manifest?
