About Cat Scratch Disease (Bartonella)
On this page:
Fact Sheet
Transmission
Symptoms
Duration
Diagnosis
Treatment
Prevention
Fact Sheet
- Cat Scratch Disease Fact Sheet
Answers to frequently asked questions about Cat Scratch Disease.
Transmission
- Generally people who get CSD are bitten, scratched, or licked by a cat before they get sick.
- Fleas are responsible for transmitting B. henselae between cats.
- Because kittens are more likely to be infected than adult cats, they are more likely to transmit cat scratch disease to humans.
- Cats are the natural reservoir for the bacteria that causes CSD, and generally do not show any signs of illness. Therefore it is impossible to know which cats can spread CSD to you.
- It is believed that transmission to humans occurs through contamination of bites or scratches with flea excrement.
- There is no human-to-human transmission of CSD.
Symptoms
Symptoms of CSD may include:
- swollen lymph nodes near the site of the bite or scratch
- fever
- headache
- fatigue
- poor appetite
- skin pustule often found at site of bite or scratch usually occurs 1 to 2 weeks before lymph nodes begin to swell
People with a weakened immune system due to disease or medication are more likely to have complications from CSD. These include:
- Parinaud’s oculoglandular syndrome: eye infection that causes inflammation of the optic nerve and can lead to blindness
- Bacillary angiomatosis: systemic illness characterized by lesions on the skin, mucosal surfaces, liver, spleen and other organs
Symptoms usually begin 3 to 14 days after being bitten or scratched by an infected feline.
Duration
- The duration of illness caused by B. henselae is usually 2 to 4 months with spontaneous recovery.
Diagnosis
- Whether or not you have appropriate exposure history
- Symptoms that fit with CSD infections
- Blood test that can detect antibodies to B. henselae
Treatment
- Supportive treatment
- Antibiotics may be used for severely ill patients to speed recovery
Prevention
- Maintain excellent flea and tick control
- Avoid rough play with cats
- If you have an open wound do not allow a cat to lick it
- Thoroughly wash the site of a bite or scratch with soap and water
- Adopt or buy cats that are in good health and without fleas
Spotlight
Safer Farm Animal Contact Exhibits (Safer FACEs)
The Safer Farm Animal Contact Exhibits (Safer FACEs) training program can help you understand the risks of illness and injury from farm animals, and how to protect your visitors. Complete this free online training and the Minnesota Department of Health will provide certification that your venue has learned about these issues.
Reptiles and Amphibians: Salmonella
Some reptiles and amphibians can make cool pets, but they can also be a source of illness. Reptiles (e.g., Iguanas, turtles, snakes) and amphibians (e.g., frogs and toads) carry Salmonella.
Keeping Food Safe During Buffets or Picnics
Buffets or picnics can be a means to transmit disease among your guests if care is not taken in how the food is handled.
Food Safety Outdoors
General rules for outdoor food safety.
There's No Such Thing as "Stomach Flu" (PDF)
Complaints of "stomach flu" are usually norovirus, the most common cause of gastrointestinal illness.
Food Safety Basics: Preventing Foodborne Illness
There's a lot you can do to handle and prepare your food safely. Learn what you can do to prepare, serve and store food safely.
Zoonotic Diseases: Disease Transmitted from Animals to Humans
A zoonosis (zoonotic disease or zoonoses -plural) is an infectious disease that is transmitted between species from animals to humans (or from humans to animals). Common illnesses associated with animal contact include Rabies, Brucellosis, Blastomycosis, and Plague.
Contact us:
If you have questions or comments about this page, use our IDEPC Comment Form or call 651-201-5414 for the MDH Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Prevention and Control Division.
