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Bartonella
Cat Scratch Disease
Cat scratch disease, also known as cat scratch fever or Bartonella, is caused by a bacterial infection you can get from a lick, scratch or bite of an infected animal, most often cats and kittens. Cats get infected with the bacteria (Bartonella henselae) from fleas.
Signs and symptoms can be mild to severe and often include redness at the scratch or bite site, swollen lymph nodes and low-grade fever. Most cases get better on their own. Children under the age of five years and individuals who are immunocompromised are more at risk of severe illness.
More information about cat scratch disease
Individual cases are not reportable to the Health Unit.
Should one go to childcare, school, or work if they have cat scratch disease?
No exclusion necessary, unless too ill to participate in activities or has a fever with behavioural change.
Follow the direction of your healthcare provider or occupational health at your workplace.
Note: Exclusion guidelines may differ for healthcare workers.
Healthcare provider information
Public Health Agency of Canada
Public Health Ontario (PHO)
- Test Information: Bartonella henselae
Contact our Communicable Disease Control (CDC) program at 705-474-1400 or toll free at 1-800-563-2808, ext. 5229, or by email to cdc@healthunit.ca for more information.
Last updated: Apr 2026, by CDC