Cats in the latent phase only have the virus internally, but feel normal and do not shed the virus to other cats and the environment. One week is the usual time frame from the triggering event to the production of active, shedding virus and possible illness. It will take another two weeks for the cat to get through this active phase. All cats must come in contact with the virus to become infected. This virus makes its entrance internally through the eyes, nose or mouth.
Direct contact is from a sick or active carrier cat directly to another cat.
In catteries, multiple cat households and shelters, the chances of this happening are high. Multiple, repeated infections may occur during the outbreak so that each successive infection produces more virus in each individual. Direct contact is by far the most common way for a cat to be infected with Rhinotracheitis. A cat coming in contact with these objects becomes infected indirectly rather than directly from the cat that put it there. People can also spread this virus from cat to cat on their hands and clothing.