Beware! ‘Cat-scratch disease’ is being spread by the cuddly felines, CDC warns

 

The CDC has warned that kittens could give one a life-threatening disease with just a lick and a scratch.
The adorable animals carry a rare bacteria in their mouths and claws called Capnocytophaga canimorsus. And while animals do not suffer ill effects, the bug can cause chronic infections in humans.

According to a report published on Wednesday, 12,000 Americans succumb to “cat-scratch disease” (as it is officially known) each year. The disease causes fever, fatigue, headaches, and swollen lymph nodes and in extreme cases it can even cause brain swelling and heart infections.
CDC researchers say the cuddliest felines – kittens – are the worst culprits. ‘Younger cats are more likely to have bacteria in their blood,’ Dr Nelson said.

Cat owners have consequently been urged not to kiss their pets and to wash their hands as often as possible.
‘The scope and impact of the disease is a little bit larger than we thought,’ Dr Christina Nelson of the CDC said. ‘Cat-scratch is preventable. If we can identify the populations at risk and the patterns of disease, we can focus the prevention efforts.’
A month ago, global medical experts warned dogs could cause sepsis in humans with just one lick.
The warning came after an elderly British woman became critically ill after her dog licked her. The 70-year-old ended up in intensive care with multiple organ failure after contracting a rare infection from her Italian greyhound.
The woman’s case was particularly unusual because she had not been bitten or scratched by her dog. She recovered after two weeks of intensive care and antibiotic treatment and was discharged 30 days after she was first admitted.