Judy Stierand (letter, March 2, "Cats pose a threat") imagines a "catastrophe" resulting from the transmission of bird flu from poultry to cats to people. She makes an alarmist claim.

In 2004, a Dutch veterinary pathologist named Thijis Kuiken published research suggesting that, in a scientifically controlled setting, poultry infected with bird flu can infect cats, and that those cats, within the same controlled setting, may infect other cats.

The study did not prove that cats play a role in transmitting the virus to humans. Kuiken has even admitted that, for complicated reasons, pathogens introduced in a lab often have more serious effects than those in a natural environment. In a natural setting, that is, Kuiken's cats may not have gotten sick. Ian Jones, a British animal and microbial sciences professor, says Kuiken's lab is "a long way from the natural situation."

Outside of the lab, the actual threat of bird flu to cats is small and unsubstantiated.

Instead of attacking homeless cats and frightening us about yet another supposed way to get sick and die, Stierand should put her energies and funds toward spay/neuter education. We should support nonprofits that humanely trap and sterilize feral cats.

Jennifer McCollum
Greensboro