The cover of the latest issue of Emerg Infect Dis. (Emerging Infectious Diseases), a magazine published by the US CDC, featured a painting: two lucky cats to support leadership. Described for us the role of cats in the history of infectious diseases in humans.

Cats were the first in history to control rodent-to-human disease. But cats can also transmit a variety of zoonotic diseases, including Campylobacter infection, cat scratch disease (also known as cat scratch fever), cryptosporidiosis, plague, rabies, and salmonellosis. It reminds us that we need to pay more attention to hygiene in the process of pulling cats to avoid the spread of viruses from cats to humans, resulting in cross-infection. The title of the article is: In Consideration of Our Mutual Relationship with Cats.

The History of Cat Domestication

The domestic cat (Cat, Felis catus) is the only trained species in the family Felidae (Family Felidae) and breeds on all continents except Antarctica. It thrives in almost any climate and environment and is one of the most invasive species in the world. Current estimates for the global cat population range from 200 million to 600 million. Wherever there are humans, there are most likely cats.

According to research, humans living in agricultural villages in northern Africa and the Near East domesticated the African wild cat (Felis lybica) 8,000 to 12,000 years ago. How cats were domesticated is a complex and unresolved topic, notes archaeologist Magdalena Krajcarz and colleagues. It may be that the grains and rubbish heaps stored in the village attract rodent pests (such as rats, etc.), which in turn attract the local feral cats. This reciprocal relationship fosters harmony between humans and cats. Authors Lee Harper and Joyce L. White also wrote that ancient sailors found cats on ships to protect their food supply from rodents.

In medieval Europe, some religious institutions considered cats to be evil, leading to the slaughter of thousands of cats. Later, however, the Black Death, which was spread by fleas on mice, helped save the cat.

Cat coronavirus

According to statistics, cat viral infections include single-stranded DNA parvovirus, namely feline distemper; calicivirus; herpes The virus is the feline nasal branch; the coronavirus is the feline infectious peritonitis. Among them, feline coronary virus (FCoVs) is an enveloped RNA virus, including feline infectious peritonitis virus (FIPV) and feline enteric coronavirus (FECV).

Feline enteric coronaviruses are highly contagious, mainly through the feces and digestive tract. However, in real life, due to the lack of specific symptoms of sick cats and the low sensitivity of commonly used detection methods, it is very difficult to diagnose and confirm. At present, the diagnosis of feline transmission is generally guessed through historical diseases, blood tests, tissue sections, etc. If the sick cat has fever and antibiotic treatment has no obvious effect, it can basically be suspected of Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP).

Most of the sick kittens are between 6-8 weeks old, when the maternal antibodies gradually disappear, and their own immunity has not been fully established (this is why cat dealers like to sell two Kittens within months, because kittens have maternal antibodies, they are not easy to get sick).

Feline and Human Diseases

The cat is the only animal in which Toxoplasma gondii can complete its life cycle. People who have been in close contact with cat litter are at risk of developing toxoplasmosis, and pregnant women can also transmit toxoplasmosis to their fetuses. Even less common is the transmission of disease from humans to animals, such as the suspected case of SARS-CoV-2 transmission from humans to cats.

While pulling a cat can provide emotional support, improve mood, and help improve the owner's overall appearance, it promotes socialization of the elderly or those with intellectual disabilities. But living with cats also carries some health risks. Cats can transmit a variety of zoonotic diseases, including Campylobacter infection, cat scratch disease (also known as cat scratch fever), cryptosporidiosis, hookworm infection, plague, rabies, and salmonellosis (although some belong to the intermediate host or only play the role of intermediate transmitter).

Fungal infections are the most common in cats. Ringworm, itchy skin, ringed rings around the lesions, may cause hair loss. It can be spread by direct contact, cat saliva, cat feces, or other bodily fluids, or by contact with water, food, bowls, or bedding used by an infected cat.

Prevention:

1. Handle cat litter with gloves.

2. Through training, soothe cats's emotions and avoid launching attacks to cause scratches, bites, etc.

3. Wash your hands frequently, do not rub your eyes, etc.

4. Feed correctly, pay attention to hygiene, deworm regularly, and immunize.

5. Avoid raw food and raw meat. Complete cat food.