H1N1 Flu Confirmed In Iowa Cat
11/04/2009 10:20AM
A cat in Iowa has tested positive for the 2009 H1N1 influenza virus, state officials confirmed this morning, marking the first time a cat has been diagnosed with this strain of influenza.
The cat, which has recovered, is believed to have caught the virus from someone in the household who was sick with H1N1. There are no indications that the cat passed the virus on to any other animals or people.
Prior to this diagnosis, the 2009 H1N1 influenza virus had been found in humans, pigs, birds and ferrets.
The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) and the American Association of Feline Practitioners (AAFP) are reminding pet owners that some viruses can pass between people and animals, so this was not an altogether unexpected event. Pet owners should monitor their pets’ health very closely, no matter what type of animal, and visit a veterinarian if there are any signs of illness.
The AVMA is actively tracking all instances of H1N1 in animals and posting updates on our Web site at www.avma.org/public_health/influenza/new_virus.
For more information, contact Michael San Filippo, AVMA media relations assistant, at 847-285-6687 (office), 847-732-6194 (cell), or msanfilippo@avma.org.
http://www.cattlenetwork.com/H1N1-Flu-Confirmed-In-Iowa-Cat/2009-11-04/Article.aspx?oid=932004
This is not good news. One of the more dangerous aspects of the H5N1 Avian flu is the wide range of animals it infects, giving it more animal vectors it can live and mutate in. H5N1 was almost unique, in that it can live in both cats and dogs and fish, which have drastically different immune systems.
It would be desirable for someone to develop a “vector list”, of animals that carry H1N1, if for no other reason than both personal avoidance, and so that you can watch your pet for symptoms, while keeping them away from animals that might make them ill as well.
Thanks for posting this with links. I do foster work with cats and kittens. I’ve passed this on to the vet tech at the shelter.
Crap! How do I protect my cat since I have it? She’s a senior and already has underlying health issues.