Bird flu cases have been rising in Washington state, impacting the Wild Felid Advocacy Center where 20 big cats died – more than half of the facility’s population. The sanctuary is under quarantine and closed to prevent further spread, working on disinfecting enclosures and prevention strategies. While the exact cause of the big cats contracting bird flu is unknown, the sanctuary is taking precautions. Cats are particularly vulnerable to bird flu, with symptoms progressing rapidly. The possibility of bird flu passing from mammals to humans is rare but has occurred in the past. The situation has been described as a nightmare by the center’s director.
https://www.cnn.com/2024/12/25/us/bird-flu-washington-cats-cases/index.html