H1N1 virus found in companion animals

The following alert has been issued regarding H1N1 in pets.

The Oregon State Public Health Veterinarian has reported that a pet cat has died from presumed 2009 H1N1 influenza virus infection. The cat was one of 4 cats in the household and became ill approximately one week after a child in household had a flu-like illness. If this cat is confirmed to have H1N1, it will be the second cat diagnosed with the H1N1 virus in the United States. So far, the 2009 H1N1 virus had been found in pigs, birds, ferrets and cats. Most of the infected animals had been exposed to ill humans and appear to have caught the virus from them. At this time, there is no evidence that the virus has been passing from animal to animal, or that animals have infected humans. The fact that there are very few reports of illness in animals despite the large number of cases in humans and the frequent interaction between animals and people, indicates that animals are not easily infected and do not appear to play a role in the spread of the disease.

Since some viruses can pass between people and animals, this was not an altogether unexpected event. Pet owners are advised to minimize contact between family members with suspected H1N1 and their pets. They should monitor their pets' health very closely, no matter what type of animal, and visit a veterinarian if their pet shows any signs of illness. Federal and state agriculture and health officials will continue to monitor and study the H1N1 situation in animals.