Transmission most often occurs through a scratch or bite from an infected cat. The bacterium may be present on a cat’s claws or in saliva, and risk can also arise if a cat licks broken skin. Cats typically acquire Bartonella through flea exposure, so carriage is more common without flea control. The disease is not spread person-to-person. Prevention focuses on prompt wound cleaning, supervised interaction (especially for children), flea control in cats, and reducing scratching/biting behaviors.