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Cat caught H1N1 virus from humans
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The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) and the U. S. Department of Agriculture has confirmed the first known case of a cat being infected with H1N1 virus, commonly known as Swine Flu.
In Iowa, a 13-year-old cat became ill with symptoms of lethargy, loss of appetite and trouble breathing. Testing confirmed the cause as H1N1 virus.
Dr. Brett Sponseller, the veterinarian who treated the cat last week at Iowa State University College of Veterinary Medicine in Ames reports the cat has recovered. He determined two of the three people in the cat's Iowa home had flu-like symptoms before the cat became ill.
The virus also has been confirmed in two ferrets, one in Oregon and the other in Nebraska; one died and one recovered.
"We've known certainly it's possible this could happen," said Centers for Disease Control and Prevention spokesman Tom Skinner. "This may be the first instance where we have documentation that transmission occurred involving cats or dogs."
"It's well documented in influenza in general, but this is the first highly suspected case of H1N1 going from humans into a cat," ~ Dr. Brett Sponseller
To avoid spreading the H1N1 flu virus to pets people should practice regular hand washing, cover their coughs and sneezes, and minimize contact with their pets while ill with influenza-like symptoms.
SOURCES: Associated Press, AVMA
Getting family members vaccinated for swine flu can also help prevent the illness from spreading to pets. Currently, there is no swine flu vaccine for pets. If you like what you've read from the Philadelphia Animal Advocate Examiner, consider subscribing; it's FREE and you will receive an email with every newly published article. Your privacy is fully respected and your email address and information is kept private.
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