BRUSSELS, March 1 (Xinhuanet) -- European Union veterinarian experts said Wednesday that cats infected with H5N1 bird flu virus will not pass it on to humans but precautionary measures were recommended.

    Germany has found one dead cat infected with H5N1 in the island of Ruegen, where a high number of infected wild birds had been found in the last weeks.

    "Current knowledge indicates that no H5N1 infection has ever occurred in humans due to animals other than domestic poultry. Current knowledge suggests that the disease in carnivores such as cats is a "cul de sac" of the infection that has not lead to an increase in the risk posed by this virus for animal or public health, " they said in a statement.

    They said, however, no information is currently available to either confirm or exclude the possibility of H5N1 spreading to other carnivores, such as dogs.

    The finding of H5N1 in the cat in question has probably occurred due to its exposure to infected wild birds, they said.

    The experts recommended several precautionary measures for areas where H5N1 has been confirmed in wild birds after the cat was found infected with H5N1.

    Sick or dead cats and dogs that may have had contacts with infected birds or their carcasses should undergo veterinary inspection or post-mortem examination. Further testing should be carried out if necessary, they said.

    Contacts between domestic carnivores, particularly cats, and wild birds should be prevented.

    Where stray cats or dogs are found dead, they should not be touched and the veterinary authorities should be informed, so that post-mortem examination and further testing can be performed. Enditem