LONDON — The World Health Organization said more than two dozen cats have been infected with bird flu across Poland, but no people appeared to have been sickened.
In a statement on Monday, the U.N. health agency said it was the first time so many cats had been reported to have bird flu over such a wide geographical area in a single country, amid an unprecedented global outbreak of the latest version of the H5N1 version of the disease.
Municipal workers disinfect dead pelicans Dec. 1, 2022, on San Pedro beach in Lima, Peru. The World Health Organization said Monday that more than two dozen cats have been infected with bird flu across Poland, but no people appeared to have been sickened.
WHO said that late last month, Polish authorities informed agency officials of the unusual deaths of more than 45 cats in 13 geographical regions of the country. Testing last week found that 29 had H5N1.
As of June, the most recent variant of H5N1 has been reported in birds and other animal species in Asia, Africa, Europe and the Americas. Since 2020, WHO said a dozen human cases have been reported.
People are also reading…
Scientists worry that rising cases of H5N1, particularly in animals that have frequent contact with humans, might lead to a mutated version of the disease that could spread easily between people, triggering another pandemic.
Before the COVID-19 pandemic, many experts had suspected that the next global outbreak would be sparked by H5N1. But while bird flu has killed hundreds of millions of birds globally, it has sickened fewer than 900 people since 2003 and has not been able to spread easily among humans.
WHO said it was unclear how the domestic cats in Poland became infected with bird flu and said officials were still investigating possible sources of exposure, including contact with wild birds that are known to carry H5N1. The agency said the risk of people in Poland being infected with bird flu was “low” and “low to moderate” for people exposed to cats, including cat owners and veterinarians.
Last week, WHO and partners warned that the increasing numbers of mammals infected with H5N1 were unusual. Experts have previously cautioned that pigs, which are susceptible to flu viruses from both humans and birds, might act as a “mixing vessel,” leading to the emergence of mutated viruses that could be lethal to people.
Since last year, authorities in 10 countries have reported bird flu outbreaks in mammals, including farmed mink in Spain, seals in the U.S., and sea lions in Peru and Chile.
What is walnut cat litter? Does the eco-friendly alternative really work?
What is walnut cat litter?
Walnut cat litter is made from crushed walnut shells, a recycled byproduct of the food industry. The shells are processed and finely ground into granules that resemble traditional clay-based cat litter. There are a few unique benefits to this eco-friendly option, but there are also a couple of cons to consider.
What are the pros of walnut cat litter?
One of the biggest benefits of walnut cat litter is that it’s an environmentally friendly choice. The walnut shells are biodegradable and natural, and as a food industry byproduct, they would otherwise go to waste.
Odor control is a top priority for cat parents and walnut litter does a solid job at controlling litter box smells. While walnut-based litter smells slightly more earthy out of the bag than clay-based litter, the compounds in walnut shells naturally absorb and neutralize urine and fecal odors to keep your home fresh.
If your cat suffers from allergies or asthma, walnut shell litter could provide relief. Unlike clay-based litter, walnut litter is virtually dust-free. It’s also gentler on your cat’s paws, mimicking the natural feeling of sand or soil.
Many cat owners are hesitant to move away from their favorite clay-based clumping litter, but walnut shell litter has the same clumping capabilities. This makes scooping and clean up just as quick and easy.
What are the cons of walnut cat litter?
While walnut shell litter is a great option for many cats, there is a risk of allergic reactions in humans or cats with nut allergies. If you’re not sure if your cat has a nut allergy, try testing a small amount of litter and monitoring your cat for irritation.
You might also notice more tracking with walnut shell litter. While you can keep this to a minimum with a litter-trapping mat, you might need to sweep up a little more frequently around your cat’s litter box.
Walnut shell litter can also be more difficult to find in some pet stores, though availability is rising with its popularity. Fortunately, you can conveniently order walnut-shell cat litter online.
What is the best walnut cat litter?
One of the most popular walnut cat litters is Naturally Fresh Cat Litter. This walnut-based quick-clumping kitty litter is available on Amazon for $20 per 26-pound bag.
Cat parents raved about the neutral, slightly nutty smell and lack of dust. Many reviewers also mentioned that a little bit of this litter goes a long way, saying that it was “more economical in the long run and less waste entering the trash/landfills.” If you’re looking for a low-odor natural option that’s great for the environment and your cat, it could be worth making the switch to walnut litter.
