H1N1 cases involving pets

(January 15, 2010) An 8-year old, female, domestic shorthaired cat was confirmed to be infected with 2009 H1N1 influenza as well as feline herpesvirus. The cat had recently been adopted within 24 hours of its arrival at an animal shelter, and began to show signs of illness (sneezing, runny nose/eyes) 5 days after it was introduced to its new home. Although there was no known exposure to an infected person or other animal, authorities cannot rule out exposure to an infected but asymptomatic (showing no symptoms of illness) person or animal. The cat is recovering from its illness

(December 21, 2009) IDEXX Laboratories has confirmed 2009 H1N1 influenza virus in a dog in Bedford Hills, New York. A 13-year old dog became ill after its owner was ill with confirmed 2009 H1N1 influenza. The dog was lethargic, coughing, not eating, and had a fever. Radiographs (x-rays) showed evidence of pneumonia. The dog was treated with intravenous fluids, antibiotics, nebulization and other supportive care, and was discharged from the hospital after 48 hours of care. It is currently recovering. Tests submitted to IDEXX Laboratories were negative for canine influenza (H3N8) but positive for 2009 H1N1 influenza. The results were confirmed by the Iowa State Laboratory.

(December 8, 2009) IDEXX Reference Laboratories has announced the availability of the IDEXX H1N1 Influenza Virus RealPCRT Test, offered as a stand-alone test or as a component of their canine and feline respiratory disease panels. This test has not been validated by the USDA but was adapted from published CDC standards regarding tests for the 2009 H1N1 influenza virus. Veterinarians who have received preliminary or confirmatory positive results of 2009 H1N1 infection in animals should alert their state public health veterinarian. Confirmatory testing by an NAHLN laboratory may be recommended.

(December 8, 2009) The Oregon state public health veterinarian has confirmed that another cat has died from 2009 H1N1 influenza. On November 24th 2009, an 8 year-old spayed female cat presented as an emergency to a veterinary clinic, showing signs of severe weakness and pain. According to the owner, the cat had a history of allergies and sneezing with nasal discharge and chronic sinusitis. The cat was hypothermic and dehydrated, very weak, and had nasal discharge and blue-tinged mucous membranes. Radiographs (x-rays) showed severe pneumonia and fluid accumulation in the cat's chest. A nasal discharge sample was collected and tested positive for the 2009 H1N1 influenza virus by the Oregon State University Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory. Despite supportive care and treatment with oseltamivir (Tamiflu), the cat died the evening of November 24. The cat's owner had previously been ill with severe respiratory disease and was confirmed to be infected with the 2009 H1N1 influenza virus.

November 18, 2009
The Oregon state public health veterinarian has reported that a pet cat has died from presumed 2009 H1N1 influenza virus infection. The cat was one of 4 cats in the household and became ill approximately one week after a child in household had a flu-like illness. It developed labored breathing and was presented to a veterinarian on November 4. The cat was not coughing or sneezing but had pneumonia. The cat's condition deteriorated over the next 3 days, and it died on November 7. Samples were obtained and tested (PCR) positive for the 2009 H1N1 influenza virus. Additional samples were sent to the National Veterinary Services Laboratories (NVSL) for confirmation and are still pending. At this time this is a presumed, not confirmed, case of 2009 H1N1 influenza infection.

The three other cats in the household also became ill with different degrees of sneezing and coughing, but recovered from their illnesses. Samples collected from these cats were negative for the 2009 H1N1 influenza virus.

November 17, 2009
A cat in Park City, Utah has become the second cat confirmed to be infected with the 2009 H1N1 virus. The cat's owner had previously been ill with the flu before the cat became ill. The cat was having trouble breathing and was taken to a veterinarian on November 3. A 'bedside' influenza test on November 6 detected the presence of type A influenza. Additional samples were sent to the Iowa State laboratory on November 9. A PCR test performed on the nasal swab was negative for 2009 H1N1 influenza, likely because the cat was no longer shedding the virus. The infection was serologically confirmed with a hemagglutination inhibition assay by the laboratory at Iowa State University on November 13.

November 10, 2009
The State Public Health Veterinarian for Oregon has confirmed three more H1N1-infected ferrets. According to the statement:
"In late October 2009, a client presented to a veterinarian in the Roseburg area with 3 of 9 ferrets who had become ill with an influenza-like illness. The family had human patients with influenza-like illness about a week prior to the illness onset on the ferrets.
Two of the 3 ferrets presented with fevers (temp >103F), 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 Oct 27th and were later reported as positive for Influenza A. Further testing at NVSL confirmed the isolates as pandemic influenza H1N1. All 9 ferrets have recovered well.

 

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