Swine flu made the jump to cats.

[GlassOnion]

At least in this one case.

The Associated Press: Officials: Swine flu confirmed in Iowa cat

Problem is they don't say whether the virus was established or just lingering in the body (not actually surviving/causing symptoms in other words). Since the owners had 'flu-like symptoms' it could be that. Or it could be the cat who gave them the flu.



On a separate note, Iowa State is one of the vet schools I applied to.

 

[Beanie]

That is actually the first thing I've heard about swine flu that is mildly concerning.

 

[Amanda885]

that's pretty crazy..oy. hope that the cat and it's owners recover soon!
intersting story!

 

[Boemy]

Does it say something that this is the first time I've felt worried about swine flu? So glad my guys are indoor cats . . . I just hope I don't get it and transfer it to them.

 

[LittleBigDog]

So far this looks like a mild to moderate disease in cats. I think the reason that this case even got diagnosed is that the owner works at ISU. It's a good warning, though, to protect cats from exposure to new strains of human flu, if possible.

Iowa cat tests positive for H1N1 flu
"Two people in the household exhibited flu-like symptoms, so Dr. Brett Sponseller, whose doctorate degree is in molecular virology, and the cat's owner, an ISU employee with a scientific background in infectious diseases, decided to test the cat for H1N1."

There's a little more info here.

The Cat Who Got Swine Flu - Well Blog - NYTimes.com

http://www.usda.gov/documents/FINAL_RESULTS_2009_PANDEMIC_H1N1_INFLUENZA_CHT.pdf

 

[LittleBigDog]

I have some bad news, a cat passed away that tested positive for H1N1.

H1N1-infected cat dies in Oregon - DVM

It sounds like pneumonia may have been the actual cause of death. Looks like there are a total of 3 diagnosed cases so far. It's strange that they are all in the US, and all announced since early November. (Probably the first case fell ill in late October.)

 

[nkthen]

I think we should be concerned about the mutated virus...

When it starts inflicting animals and cross-human, we may have another problem.