Also, washing your hands after touching your cat is a good idea, Nelson said. She also suggested talking with your vet to figure out the best way to keep your cat flea-free.
The report is scheduled to be published in the October issue of the CDC journal Emerging Infectious Diseases.
Dr. Marc Siegel, a professor of medicine at NYU Langone Medical Center in New York City, called cat-scratch disease “an under-recognized problem, so people should watch it when playing with cats.”
It’s usually a mild disease and mostly a problem for kids, he said. The bacteria is most common in cats that spend time outdoors, he added.
“Cats that are on the prowl or hunting in the woods get more fleas, so they are more likely to carry the bacteria,” Siegel said.
“Don’t let your cat prowl,” Siegel said. “If your cat has been roaming, wash your hands and your kids’ hands after touching the animal.”