(Xinhua)
Updated: 2008-03-25 13:40

BANGKOK - Many pet owners in Thailand's northern province Phichit have abandoned their cats and dogs at temples over panic after many cats died mysteriously in central Thailand, media here reported Tuesday.

Laboratory tests are still being conducted to determine what caused the deaths of at least dozens of cats in the central Ang Thong province.

The Disease Control Department under the Public Health Ministry on Monday said the  most likely cause of the cat deaths is feline distemper. Animal experts said the feline distemper primarily spread through contact with an infected cat's fluids, faeces or fleas.

The Ministry has warned people to wash their hands after direct contact with a cat and avoid touching any strays, and advised cat owners to vaccinate their pets to prevent any infection.

It also assured the public that the disease, whatever it might be, will not be passed on to humans.

But that reassurance doesn't seem enough to quench local people 's concern about possible human infection. Many people in Phichit province have reportedly abandoned their cats and dogs at temples, according to a Bangkok Post website report.

The abbot of Bueng Sri Fai temple in Phichit to plead with locals not to leave animals at the temple as it has become a big burden to the monks.

"Monks at the temple will have to be responsible for cleaning up animal faeces, few get enough sleep now because of all the noise from cat and dog fights and all the howling," the abbot was quoted as complaining.