Wisconsin Cat Positive from H1N1
A 6-year-old male domestic shorthair cat in Wisconsin has tested positive for the H1N1 influenza virus, the first confirmed case of H1N1 in a U.S. pet since January 2010, according to Idexx Reference Laboratories. The Westbrook, Maine-based company confirmed the test result with its Feline Upper Respiratory Disease RealPCR Panel. The American Veterinary Medical Association, which tracks all instances of H1N1 in animals, sent out a media alert.
The cat had been presented to a veterinary emergency hospital due to respiratory distress. A second cat, a 10-year-old female domestic shorthair, from the same household was also taken in but tested negative for the virus, although it is now presumed that it too had the virus. Despite aggressive supportive care, both cats were euthanized due to their deteriorating condition and failing to respond to treatment.
The owner of the cats had been ill with flu-like symptoms prior to the cats' illness and is believed to be the source of the infection. In addition to humans and cats, this strain of H1N1 influenza virus has also been found in pigs, birds, ferrets and a dog. There have been no confirmed cases of pets passing the virus back to people.
The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) is reminding pet owners that some viruses can pass between people and animals, so this is 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.
For H1N1, signs of illness can include lethargy, loss of appetite, fever, runny nose or eyes, sneezing, coughing or changes in breathing.
The cat had been presented to a veterinary emergency hospital due to respiratory distress. A second cat, a 10-year-old female domestic shorthair, from the same household was also taken in but tested negative for the virus, although it is now presumed that it too had the virus. Despite aggressive supportive care, both cats were euthanized due to their deteriorating condition and failing to respond to treatment.
The owner of the cats had been ill with flu-like symptoms prior to the cats' illness and is believed to be the source of the infection. In addition to humans and cats, this strain of H1N1 influenza virus has also been found in pigs, birds, ferrets and a dog. There have been no confirmed cases of pets passing the virus back to people.
The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) is reminding pet owners that some viruses can pass between people and animals, so this is 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.
For H1N1, signs of illness can include lethargy, loss of appetite, fever, runny nose or eyes, sneezing, coughing or changes in breathing.
Dengue virus has another form, however, and this is far more devastating. Dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF).