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Cat tests positive for H1N1 virus
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Two cats and a ferret have now tested positive for the H1N1 virus.
According to a press release on November 4, 2009, a cat in Iowa has tested positive for the 2009 H1N1 influenza virus. Soon after, another cat in Indiana tested positive for the virus, and on October 9, a ferret contracted the virus.
The cat in Iowa, which has recovered, is believed to have caught the virus from someone in the household who was sick with H1N1. “Two of the three members of the family that owns the pet had suffered from influenza-like illness before the cat became ill,” said IDPH Public Health Veterinarian, Dr. Ann Garvey. “This is not completely unexpected, as other strains of influenza have been found in cats in the past.” Both the cat and its owners have recovered from their illnesses.
There are no indications that the cat passed the virus on to any other animals or people. The 13-year-old indoor cat in Iowa was also brought to the Lloyd Veterinary Hospital where it tested positive for the H1N1 virus.
In October, four ferrets in a Nebraska household came down with the virus, one of which lost its life as a result of complications.
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 their Web site.
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