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H1N1 and Animals

News archive for H1N1 stories related to pets, veterinarians and other animals

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Stories about the H1N1 virus are in the news daily, and can be overwhelming. This news archive is focused on animal cases of H1N1. According to the CDC, the swine version (influenza type A H1N1) was first isolated from a pig in 1930. To date, The H1N1 cases documented in turkeys, ferrets and a cat have caught the H1N1 virus from humans, not the other way around.

For human H1N1 information please see Patient Empowerment Guide Trisha Torrey's H1N1 Swine Flu 2009 FAQ.

Stay informed, but do not panic. Common sense prevention - washing hands and isolating sick individuals is important to reduce spread.

1. January 2010: New case of H1N1 with herpesvirus infection in a cat

Transmission Electron Micrograph (TEM) of Novel H1N1 virus virions in a tissue sample by CDC/ C. GolCDC/ C. Goldsmith and D. Rollin
The AVMA reported today that an 8-year old female cat was confirmed with H1N1 after no known exposure to a person or animal infected with H1N1. However, contact with an asymptomatic carrier (no clinical signs) may be one explanation.

2. 2009 H1N1 wrap-up and updates

The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) continues to track new instances of H1N1 in pets and other animals. On 28 December 2009, an eight-year old spayed female cat was confirmed with H1N1 a few days after her owner was also confirmed with the H1N1 virus. The cat had spend a lot of time in close contact with her owner during the respiratory illness. Bookmark the AVMA H1N1 update page for continued updates.

3. December 2009 - First Dog Case of H1N1

Transmission Electron Micrograph (TEM) of Novel H1N1 virus virions in a tissue sample by CDC/ C. GolCDC/ C. Goldsmith and D. Rollin
The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) and IDEXX Reference Laboratories have confirmed the first US case of the 2009 H1N1 influenza in a dog in New York state. In November 2009, the Chinese press reported two canine cases of H1N1, but news reports were not confirmed by the AVMA or any US disease center specialists.

4. December 2009 - Second Cat H1N1 Fatality, New Feline Case in France

Negative stain EM image of the 2009 H1N1 influenza Photo Credit: C. S. Goldsmith and A. Balish, CDCC. S. Goldsmith and A. Balish, CDC

Two new news stories about feline H1N1 from the AVMA were released on December 8, 2009. An 8 year-old female (spayed) cat in Oregon died from the 2009 H1N1 influenza virus on November 24, 2009 after being brought to a veterinary emergency clinic showing signs of "severe weakness and pain."

In international news, France's Director General of Health announced that a 5 year-old male (neutered) cat has tested positive for the H1N1 virus after children in the household had been ill with influenza symptoms. This cat has recovered.

5. December 2009 - 2 Cats in Colorado Confirmed with H1N1

Negative stain EM image of the 2009 H1N1 Flu Virus - C. S. Goldsmith and A. Balish, CDCC. S. Goldsmith and A. Balish, CDC
Colorado State University's (CSU)Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory has reported that two cats from separate households have tested positive for the H1N1 virus. Both cats have been ill with respiratory symptoms for weeks, but are expected to recover.

6. December 2009 - Cheetah and Turkeys in US Test Positive for H1N1

Cheetah by Ferdinand Svehla on Flickrby Ferdinand Svehla on Flickr
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) are reporting that a cheetah in a California zoo and a flock of turkeys in Virginia have tested positive for the 2009 H1N1 influenza virus.

7. November 2009 - Third Cat with H1N1 Dies in Oregon

Transmission Electron Micrograph (TEM) of Novel H1N1 virus virions in a tissue sample by CDC/ C. GolCDC/ C. Goldsmith and D. Rollin

The AVMA sent out a bulletin today with news that a 10-year old male cat in Oregon has reportedly died from H1N1 infection. The cat was presented to a veterinarian with rapid shallow breathing, but no coughing or sneezing. The cat was seen on November 4 and died on November 7, 2009.

The other three cats in the household exhibited signs of sneezing and coughing but did not test positive for the H1N1 virus.

8. November 2009 - Second Cat Confirmed with H1N1 in Utah

H1N1 influenza virus - CDC Influenza Laboratory.CDC - public domain
A 14-year old cat in Park City, Utah has been confirmed positive for the H1N1 (swine) influenza virus. This is the second confirmed feline case of H1N1, the first feline case was confirmed in an Iowa cat on November 4th.

9. November 2009 - 3 More Ferret Cases of H1N1 Confirmed in Oregon

Princess Buttercup the Ferret by GenGlo on Flickrby GenGlo on Flickr

The Oregon Veterinary Medical Association (OVMA) has reported that 3 more ferrets have tested positive for the H1N1 virus. The ferrets were part of a household of 9 ferrets, and it is suspected that all may have had the virus.

New resource from the AVMA:
Frequently Asked Questions by Veterinarians about 2009 H1N1 Flu Virus
Frequently updated H1N1 FAQ from the AVMA:
Frequently Asked Questions about the 2009 H1N1 Flu Virus and Pets

10. November 2009 - H1N1 Flu Confirmed in Iowa Cat

Negative stain EM image of the 2009 H1N1 influenza Photo Credit: C. S. Goldsmith and A. Balish, CDCC. S. Goldsmith and A. Balish, CDC
It has been confirmed that a cat has caught the H1N1 virus from humans. The Iowa Department of Public Health as reported that a cat became ill with H1N1 virus after 3 members of the family became ill with influenza-like symptoms. The good news is that the cat and human family members have recovered uneventfully.

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