How to Prevent Cat Scratch Disease

Cat scratch disease (CSD) is an infection caused by the Bartonella henselae bacterium. It is carried by cats in their saliva and transmitted to humans through a bite or scratch from a cat, usually a kitten. Bartonella henselae does not cause symptoms in cats and many human carriers are asymptomatic as well. CSD usually resolves by itself. The following steps will show how to prevent a case of CSD.

Difficulty: Challenging

Instructions

1. Use caution when playing with cats. The best way to prevent CSD is to avoid cats altogether because they are the primary means of infection and you should never tease or provoke a cat. Strays or unfamiliar cats should not be handled.

2. Be especially careful around kittens. Young cats are more likely to be carriers, but CSD appears to be infectious for only a few weeks. Kittens with fleas are more likely to be infected.

3. Wash your hands carefully after handling your cat and thoroughly clean cat bites or scratches with soap and water. Do not allow your cat to lick any open wounds.

4. Get rid of fleas on your cat using flea collars and other treatments to keep your cat from being re-infected. Some types of fleas also carry the Bartonella henselae bacterium but they cannot directly infect humans.

5. Follow up with infected patients in two to six months to prevent a recurrence of CSD. Infected cats do not need to be treated or euthanized.

Resources

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