H1N1 now confirmed in a cat!

[Tressie]

From AVMA:

www.avma.org/public_health/influenza/new_virus/


November 4, 2009
H1N1 confirmed in Iowa cat
A 13-year old cat in Iowa developed signs of a respiratory infection after several people in the household were ill. Preliminary testing was positive for 2009 H1N1 on October 29 and the results were confirmed on November 2. This is the first report of a cat infected with the 2009 H1N1 influenza virus. The cat is recovering from its illness. To date, there is no evidence that the cat passed the virus to any people.

[mindy]

oh my gosh! now i have to worry about the cats and the ferrets!! this is too much. they are vaccinating the children only k-3 tomorrow but who knows when we will get vaccinated. the high school has only had 50% attendance this week. i am so scared to touch anyone or anything. my poor pets a second person just passed away from H1N1 in our area today.

[Johnny and Demon]

Oh my god ! This flu is horrible ! Horrible !
Kids, adults, ferrets, cat .. who's next ? a dog ? a bird ? oh gosh :S

[christina127]

This is getting to be a bit 2 much.. i have 3 cats and a ferret... i'd be so pissed if they got it..

[Johnny and Demon]

I am sooooo afraid to touch a door or something ! I use so often hand sanitazers its horrible ! I am very paranoid ? I just do not want my furkids to be sick ! Please, get the vaccine when you can !

[airy]

This is how viruses get mutated..when they cross over to different species, Bird Flu is a perfect example of that. I sure as hell hope people start keeping their cats in until this gets eradicated..as slow as our government is acting, I am questioning if that is even a possibility.

Right now my cousin in in the hospital suffering from it and he is not doing very well and a child near here is in ICU. Its bad enough that we have to worry about our ferrets, now our other animals can be at risk.

Oh, I guess Canada is back to referring to it as Swine Flu instead of H1N1, so much for political correctness huh?? I much prefer H1N1, don't sound as threatening that way.

[Tressie]

Three New Cases of H1N1 in Oregon Ferrets

3 Oregon Ferrets Test Positive for H1N1 Virus; 4 Total Cases in State

In late October 2009, a client presented three of nine owned ferrets who had become ill with an influenza-like illness to a veterinarian in the Roseburg area. The family had human patients with influenza-like illness about a week prior to onset of illness in the ferrets.
Two of the three ferrets presented with fevers (temperature above 103 F), sneezing, coughing and had nasal discharge. Not all ferrets became ill at the same time, but 2 - 3 days after the initial 2 cases. Nasal discharge samples were collected on October 27, 2009 and were later reported as positive for Influenza A.

Further testing at the National Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory confirmed the isolates as pandemic influenza H1N1. The other ferrets were not tested, but it is believed they may have had the virus as well. All nine ferrets have recovered.

The first documented case of the H1N1 virus in a ferret was in a Portland, Oregon ferret early October.

On October 5, 2009, a client brought a ferret to a Portland, Oregon veterinary hospital. The ferret had been exhibiting weakness followed by sneezing, coughing, and an elevated temperature.

Because the client and her children previously had symptoms compatible with influenza, the attending veterinarian consulted with Dr. Emilio DeBess, Oregon State Public Health Veterinarian, and both agreed to test the ferret's nasal secretions for influenza.

On October 8, 2009, Oregon State University's Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory presumptively diagnosed pandemic influenza H1N1 by PCR from the nasal secretions of the ferret.

On October 9, 2009, pandemic influenza H1N1 was confirmed at the National Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory.

Contrary to published media reports, which stated that this Oregon ferret had died, it has, in fact, recovered.

Other ferrets in the US have now also tested positive for the H1N1 virus. One ferret in Nebraska died.

Transmission

Pet owners should be cautious as we enter this year's flu season. Ferrets are generally susceptible toinfluenza A viruses under which H1N1 is classified.
In these cases, it is believed that the human owners transmitted the virus to their ferrets.
Dr. Emilio DeBess, Oregon State Public Health Veterinarian, cautions owners and veterinarians that it may be possible for ferrets or cats to transmit this virus to humans. Coughing and sneezing can spread the virus which can remain infectious for about a week outside the body. Thoroughly wash your hands when handling sick pets or when you are sick.

Symptoms

If your ferret starts to exhibit signs of a respiratory illness or lethargy, the animal should be examined by your veterinarian.

Because of the immunosuppressive effects of influenza, bacterial infection may be of concern. If discharge from the nose or eyes becomes discolored (yellow or green), or if your ferret is coughing, contact your veterinarian.

Treatment

Once a diagnosis is made, your veterinarian may be able to suggest medications to make the ferret more comfortable. You must also ensure that your ferret remains hydrated. If your ferret is very lethargic or off food and water (monitor closely), treatment with fluids and/or force feeding may be necessary.

Cat in Iowa Positive for H1N1 Virus

A cat in Iowa has tested positive for the 2009 H1N1 influenza virus. This case is first documented case of H1N1 virus in a domestic cat.

Transmission

It is believed that the cat caught the virus from someone in its 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. At this time, it does not appear that the cat has transmitted the virus to any other animals or humans."

Dr. Emilio DeBess, Oregon State Public Health Veterinarian, cautions owners and veterinarians that it may be possible for ferrets or cats to transmit this virus to humans. Coughing and sneezing can spread the virus which can remain infectious for about a week outside the body. Thoroughly wash your hands when handling sick pets or when you are sick.

Symptoms

If your cat starts to exhibit signs of a respiratory illness, lethargy, or conjunctivitis (swelling and redness of the membranes around the eyes), the animal should be examined by your veterinarian.

Treatment

As with people, treatment is supportive, which means treating the symptoms and letting the virus run its course. Once a diagnosis is made, your veterinarian may be able to suggest medications to make the cat more comfortable.

H1N1 and Other Animals

Dogs
At this time, it is unknown as to whether dogs are considered to be susceptible to pandemic H1N1.

Canine influenza (H3N8) is a different influenza strain which is not known to be transmissible to humans.

Birds & Poultry

In August 2009, the pandemic H1N1 virus was detected in turkeys in two farms near the seaport of Valparaiso, Chile. The detection followed a decrease in both the laying rate and the egg shell quality in the flocks without noticeable mortality. Some birds had been in contact with persons with respiratory disease. Backyard poultry could potentially be at risk of H1N1 transmission from humans.
Pet Birds
Pet birds can also be susceptible to H1N1. Testing is recommended if the bird and owner both develop an influenza-like illness compatible with H1N1.
Swine
At least six pigs from Minnesota have tested positive for the H1N1 virus, the first confirmed case in the US swine population. This confirms a preliminary diagnosis of H1N1 pandemic influenza virus in swine samples collected during the 2009 Minnesota State Fair between August 26 and September 1.
According to a report from the USDA on November 2, the virus has been found for the first time in a commercial swine herd in Indiana. All animals and caretakers have recovered. USDA said the Indiana facility has continued its routine processing practices because it is safe for swine that recover from influenza viruses to be slaughtered.
Consumers are reminded that they cannot catch the influenza virus from eating pork.
Pet Pigs
Because swine are susceptible to this virus, follow standard flu prevention protocols when handling your pet pig. If you are concerned about your pet pig's health, please contact your veterinarian.
Key Points for Pet Owners
Prevention
Standard techniques to prevent the spread of influenza are recommended. These include hand-washing and using alcohol-based hand cleaners, covering your mouth and nose with a tissue when you sneeze, and avoiding touching your eyes, nose and mouth. Try to avoid close contact with sick people and stay home from work or school if you are sick. If you are sick, you may want to limit contact with your domestic pet, bird or backyard poultry until you are well.
Vaccines
A human vaccine is now available. Refer to the CDC Web site for the most current official information on human cases. Pet owners may wish to consult with their physicians to see if they are a candidate to receive the H1N1 vaccine.
There is no vaccine for domestic animals, such as ferrets, dogs, cats or birds.

Key Points for Veterinarians

Updated Recommendations

Dr. Emilio DeBess, Oregon State Public Health Veterinarian, cautions owners and veterinarians that it may be possible for ferrets or cats to transmit this virus to humans.
It is best to protect yourself and your staff when any animal presents to your office with an influenza-like illness. Wash your hands frequently and after examining animals with influenza-like illness. You may consider wearing gloves when handling animals with respiratory illness.

Cover your cough and follow general recommendations to prevent exposing co-workers and your patients to any respiratory illness. These include hand-washing and using alcohol-based hand cleaners, covering your mouth and nose with a tissue when you sneeze, and avoiding touching your eyes, nose and mouth. Try to avoid close contact with sick people and stay home from work if you are sick.

Diagnosis

In the event that any animal is presented with influenza-like illness (fever, cough/sneeze and nasal discharge) and there is a history of influenza-like illness in the household in the week prior to the animal's illness, you may want to consider pandemic H1N1 in your differential diagnosis.

Testing

Oregon State University's Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory is able to test nasal secretions of ferrets, birds, dogs, and cats as requested. Sample collected should be of the respiratory secretion with a Dacron culturette. The sample should be placed in 1-2 mls of sterile saline in a sealable container. A red top blood collection tube will work. No blood samples in acute cases of influenza will be accepted. For more information about sample collection requirements, please contact OSU VDL at [phone]. Please submit a standard OSU Accession form with the sample.

If you plan to submit a sample to OSU VDL for testing, please also submit the following form to Dr. DeBess State Public Health Veterinarian to assist him in tracking possible cases.
Animal Influenza Reporting Form FILLABLE PDF

Client Education

The OVMA has prepared the following client education poster for use in your practice. It will be updated and a new version will be made available as events warrant:
H1N1 Virus PDF 11.10.09

Recommendations for Swine Producers and Their Veterinarians

The American Association of Swine Veterinarians offers the following recommendations:
Producers should emphasize good on-farm biosecurity practices. Appropriate precautions (including hand-washing, mask and gloves during necropsies, personal protective equipment such as N95 respirators and goggles, etc.) should be implemented to minimize the risk of infection and disease transmission.

Continue current swine influenza vaccinations to control clinical signs of disease in pigs and utilize vaccines against the novel H1N1 if shown to reduce viral shedding and the risk of transmission to pork production personnel.

Support the USDA's swine influenza surveillance program designed to detect novel influenza viruses including the pandemic H1N1. The AASV encourages its members to submit samples from pigs exhibiting influenza-like illness (lethargy, inappetence, fever, nasal/ocular discharge, sneezing, and coughing) to a veterinary diagnostic laboratory for differential testing. Also, pigs exhibiting clinical signs of illness should not be shipped to slaughter until the clinical signs have resolved.

©2009 Oregon Veterinary Medical Association