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Cats can transmit potentially deadly infection to humans, study warns

[Auscape/UIG via Getty Images]

Kittens may seem cute and cuddly at first glance, but just remember those fluffy little bundles of joy may actually be hazardous to your health.

That’s according to a new U.S. study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which highlights the potentially deadly consequences of catching a cat-scratch disease (CSD).

As The Telegraph reports, a large-scale survey conducted across the U.S. found the scope and impact of CSD is actually larger than previously thought.

CSD, also known as cat scratch fever, is a bacterial infection spread between cats from flea bites or flea droppings.

Although cats rarely show symptoms, they can spread the disease to humans through a number of methods including scratching and biting hard enough to break human skin, or through their saliva from licking open wounds.

Symptoms of CSD can include swelling, fever, headache, poor appetite and exhaustion. Although it’s a rare illness, the bacteria can also lead to potentially deadly complications in humans in the most extreme cases.

According to the study, an estimated 12,000 people per year are diagnosed with CSD and 500 of those cases involved hospitalization.

There are some fairly simple ways to prevent the spread of CSD to you or your kitten. The study suggests better feline flea control by keeping your cat indoors and away from stray animals that might be carrying fleas. Washing your hands immediately after handling cats is also recommended.

The infection is most common in stray cats and kittens younger than a year old, so avoiding contact with these kinds of felines can also reduce your chances of coming into contact with CSD.