Ferret gets swine [H1N1] flu from its owner, a first
----------------------------------------------------
It appears that certain pets can catch swine flu from their owners.

Oregon just registered its 1st case of a natural human-animal 
transmission of the H1N1 virus. Actually, it may be the 1st such 
recorded case anywhere, said Emilio DeBess, Oregon state public 
health veterinarian.

A ferret, whose owner had shown flu-like symptoms, tested positive 
for swine flu on [8 Oct 2009].

The owners took the ferret to a veterinary clinic in Portland on 5 
Oct 2009 (DeBess said the clinic asked not to be identified.) The 
animal had severe respiratory illness and showed many of the symptoms 
people associate with the flu: fever, weakness, coughing, and sneezing.

After hearing that the owner suffered from flu symptoms just before 
the ferret got sick, the treating veterinarian called DeBess, whose 
responsibilities include serving as a consultant to Oregon vets.

DeBess asked the vet to send in a sample of the ferret's nasal 
secretions. It was tested at an Oregon State University lab, which 
found genetic markers for the strain of H1N1 that's infecting humans. 
A lab of the U. Department for Agriculture confirmed the finding on 9 Oct 2009.

This came as little surprise to DeBess. Ferrets, which are sensitive 
toward respiratory illness, have been used in labs to see how the flu 
will affect people, he said. But this may be the 1st case anywhere of 
a ferret catching the flu from its owner, without the help of lab 
technicians, he said.

The ferret is recovering.

DeBess put the staff at the clinic on "fever watch" after the test 
results came in. No one at the clinic had gotten sick as of last week 
[week of 12 Oct 2009], he said.

Ferret owners need to be careful during flu season. And that goes 
both ways. If you have a ferret that's sneezing and coughing, wash 
your hands a lot and definitely take it to a vet. If you are sick 
with flu-like symptoms, handle your ferret sparingly. Don't cough or 
sneeze near it.

The same is true for birds, DeBess said. Birds are basically the 
origin of all flu viruses, historically, and they "can get any and 
all flu viruses," he said. However, no cases of birds contracting 
H1N1 are documented in this country.

In the past 5 years the flu virus has mutated into a strain called 
H3N8, which infects dogs. It's not known to transmit to humans. No 
known strain infects cats, and neither cats nor dogs can carry H1N1.

[Byline: Jacques Von Lunen]

--
Communicated by:
Bruce Kaplan, DVM, Dipl AVES (Hon)
 mailto:bkapdvm@verizon.net - <bkapdvm@verizon.net> 

[Many thanks to Bruce Kaplan for sending this information in.

This story underscores a well known scientific reality -- influenza A 
viruses have many warm blooded hosts, both animal and human, and move 
between them from time to time. The situation is summarized by 
Fouchier, Osterhaus, and Brown as follows:

"Influenza virus types A, B, and C all belong to the family of 
_Orthomyxoviridae_ and have therefore many biological properties in 
common. A key difference between them is their in vivo host-range; 
whereas influenza viruses of types B and C are predominantly human 
pathogens that have also been isolated from seals and pigs, 
respectively, influenza A viruses have been isolated from many 
species including humans, pigs, horses, marine mammals, and a wide 
range of domestic and wild birds."

So to find this new, novel H1N1 virus occurring for the 1st time in 
ferrets should not be truly surprising. For example, if the H5N1 
pandemic is any guide, these influenza A viruses will move from time 
to time into new species. Hopefully, we will follow it closely and 
pick up these important epidemiologic clues. As the H5N1 pandemic 
evolved, we found the H5N1 virus in domestic cats, tigers, civets, 
and very recently Chinese pikas, a species closely related to rabbits.

Given that the disease so far has been clinically mild when it shows 
up, it underscores the old epidemiologic adage that "If you don't 
look, you don't find." The practicing veterinarian in Oregon really 
should be congratulated for looking. His exemplary curiosity and 
commitment to public health goals of the veterinary profession were 
evident when he called Oregon's public health veterinarian, Dr Emilio 
DeBess. Dr DeBess also did a great job obtaining a sample and 
characterizing it as H1N1 pandemic strain. The article quotes Dr 
DeBess as saying we haven't had pandemic H1N1 in birds in the United 
States, which is true but ironically just today (20 Oct 2009), 
ProMED-mail published the 1st pandemic H1N1 in turkeys in Kitchener, 
Canada. So it is not far away.

This new observation is a good piece of disease detective luck but we 
shouldn't rely on chance for our knowledge of influenza A viruses in 
animals, whether it be dogs, cats, ferrets, or pet birds, or any 
other animal that lives in close association with people. Likewise, 
active surveillance in food animal species would also help us look 
and subsequently find more concerning the distribution of pandemic 
H1N1. Finally, given that many times the transmission is from humans 
to newly susceptible animal species, the more people infected with 
H1N1 as the virus spreads this fall (2009), the more often we will 
likely see these '1st time in a new species' type of observations.

Again, Fouchier, Osterhaus, and Brown sum up the situation nicely: 
"Although it will be virtually impossible to prevent new outbreaks of 
influenza in humans and animals, it is now well recognised that 
global animal influenza virus surveillance can play a key role in the 
early recognition of new threats. Insights into the prevalence of 
influenza A viruses in animals in our environment may provide a clue 
for which viruses to look out for. In the reference laboratories, the 
pathogenic and antigenic properties of the circulating viruses can be 
determined and panels of reference reagents required for testing of 
animals and humans can be updated when needed. Importantly, the 
intensified global surveillance of animal influenza may shed new 
light on questions related to the temporal and spatial variation in 
circulating influenza viruses and the epidemiology, ecology and 
evolution of influenza A viruses."


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INFLUENZA PANDEMIC (H1N1) 2009, ANIMAL HEALTH (16): USA (NEBRASKA) FERRET

A ProMED-mail post
 http://www.promedmail.org/ - <http://www.promedmail.org> 

International Society for Infectious Diseases
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Date: 1 Nov 2009
Source: About.com: veterinary medicine [edited]
 http://vetmedicine.about.com/b/2009/11/01/h1n1-swine-flu-ferret-dies-in-nebraska.htm - <http://vetmedicine.about.com/b/2009/11/01/h1n1-swine-flu-ferret-dies-in-nebraska.htm> 


A news station in Hastings, Nebraska (KHAS) has reported that  
"Stormy," a ferret and one of 4 ferrets belonging to a family of  
humans sick with the flu, has died from the H1N1 virus.

According to the news report, testing was done by the University of  
Nebraska Veterinary Diagnostic Lab, where the ferret tested positive  
for H1N1. The state public health veterinarian said the event is not  
unexpected but that it is rare. Only 2 ferrets in the nation have died  
from H1N1, including Stormy.

A 2nd sample has been sent to a national laboratory for confirmation  
of H1N1 infection [Likely that national laboratory is the National  
Veterinary Services Laboratory (NVSL) in Ames, Iowa.].

Ferrets have respiratory systems similar to humans and are known to be  
susceptible to human flu viruses. Infectious disease specialists do  
not think dogs and cats are at risk for H1N1 infection, and there have  
been no reports of dogs or cats with H1N1 infection at this writing.  
Pet birds may be at risk, since the H1N1 jumped to turkeys last summer  
[2009]. Caution is also advised for pet pigs.

Proper hygiene and sanitation (washing hands, bowls, tools and  
clothing) and isolating sick individuals are the best defenses against  
flu viruses.

It should be noted that dogs and cats have their own flu viruses,  
notably the H3N8 flu virus in dogs currently in the news.

--
Communicated by:
ProMED-mail Rapporteur Mary Marshall


 http://www.seavs.com/DANYAFERRET.jpg - <http://www.seavs.com/DANYAFERRET.jpg> 

More ferrets in Oregon get swine flu from owners

By http://connect.oregonlive.com/user/lterry/index.html - Lynne Terry, The Oregonian

November 10, 2009, 12:48PM

Oregon cat dies of swine flu -- first in nation

November 19, 4:43 PM http://www.examiner.com/x-1028-Pet-News-Examiner - Pet News Examiner Helena Sung

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A 10 year-old male cat in Oregon has died of swine flu. "It is believed that this is the first feline H1N1 fatality," states the http://oregonvma.org/news/h1n1 - Oregon Veterinary Medical Association . Two other cats -- one in Utah and another in Iowa were previously diagnosed with swine flu, but recovered.

The ill-fated cat had been taken to Animal Clinic in Lebanon, Oregon on November 4 with http://oregonvma.org/news/h1n1 - "labored breathing" and a temperature of 101.7 F . It died three days later. The cat is believed to have caught the deadly virus from one of its family members. "A member of the family had been sick with influenza-like illness approximately one week earlier," states the Association.

Testing conducting on the nasal secretions of the cat led to the diagnosis of swine flu.

For more info: http://oregonvma.org/news/h1n1 - Oregon Veterinary Medical Association

http://www.chinaview.cn/index.htm - 2009-11-28 09:43:42

http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2009-11/28/content_12553600.htm#"> http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2009-11/28/content_12553600.htm#"> javascript:doPrint%28%29; - Print

    BEIJING, Nov. 28 (Xinhua) -- China's Ministry of Agriculture has called for intensified monitoring and investigation of A/H1N1 flu in animals after two samples from sick dogs were tested positive for the virus.

    The veterinary clinic of College of Veterinary Medicine at the China Agricultural University reported Wednesday that two out of 52 samples from sick dogs were tested positive for A/H1N1 flu virus, the ministry said late Friday.

    Analysis of genetic composition found the virus detected in the samples and those found on human A/H1N1 flu cases were 99 percent homologous, it said.

    The ministry urged local authorities to further enhance prevention and control, intensify monitoring and investigation in animal cases of A/H1N1 flu and closely watch the virus mutation situation in

USA finds pandemic H1N1 virus in turkey flock
--------------------------------------------
The pandemic H1N1 flu virus was confirmed in a flock of breeder  
turkeys in Virginia -- the 1st US case involving turkeys, the US  
Agriculture Department said on Monday [30 Nov 2009].

The virus also has been found in hogs, 3 house cats, pet ferrets, and  
a cheetah in California [presumably a zoo animal who caught it from  
its keeper -- cheetahs are native to Africa. - Mod.JW]. USDA said  
infections of turkeys have been reported previously in Canada and Chile.

"This is the 1st detection of 2009 pandemic H1N1 influenza in turkeys  
in the United States," said a USDA spokesperson. "There is a  
possibility that a worker, who was sent home ill with flu-like  
symptoms, could have infected the turkeys as a result of the  
artificial insemination processes, as the worker was a member of the  
insemination crew."

USDA said people cannot get the flu from eating [properly cooked]  
turkey meat. [Other] swine flu viruses are known to affect quails and  
turkeys periodically, said USDA. USDA's Agricultural Research Service  
conducted 2 studies this year to see if the H1N1 pandemic virus could  
affect turkeys or other domestic fowl. 5 turkey samples collected in  
mid to late November [2009] contained the virus.

[Byline: Charles Abbott]

--
Communicated by:
ProMED-mail
 mailto:promed@promedmail.org - <promed@promedmail.org> 

[One almost gets the feeling that H1N1 is a case of seek and you shall  
find. If we look for the disease in animals we might find it. It also  
seems with this disease that those companion animals that are becoming  
infected have had contact with a human that has been ill or has been  
around someone that has been ill.

It is notable that this is the 1st case of H1N1 in turkeys in the USA.  
- Mod.TG]

A ProMED-mail post

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ProMED-mail is a program of the
International Society for Infectious Diseases

 http://www.isid.org/ - <http://www.isid.org> 

Date: Mon 30 Nov 2009
Source: Reuters 

 http://www.reuters.com/article/internal_ReutersNewsRoom_ExclusivesAndWins_MOLT/idUSTRE5AT5P720091130 - http://www.reuters.com/article/internal_ReutersNewsRoom_ExclusivesAndWins_MOLT/idUSTRE5AT5P720091130 

2 cats test positive for H1N1

CSU lab part of testing process; both felines expected to recover

By Coloradoan staff and news services

Two cats from different households in Colorado have tested positive for H1N1, according to CSU's Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory.

The felines are expected to recover, but their cases serve as a reminder to pet owners to seek veterinary attention for companion animals that appear to be ill, according to a statement from Colorado State University.

The cats in these two cases were diagnosed with lower respiratory tract infections by Colorado veterinarians. Both cats are ill and have been ill for multiple weeks, with one illness beginning Oct. 2 and the other beginning in early November.

Antibiotics do not treat H1N1, but both cats received antibiotics as a precaution against secondary bacterial infections. Neither cat had symptoms that responded to antibiotics.

"We expect that both cats will recover, but these cases serve as a reminder to pet owners to seek veterinary attention as soon as possible if their pet seems ill. This flu also has been identified in ferrets, exotic cats and birds in the United States, so any companion animal that appears to have the flu should get immediate attention," Kristy Pabilonia, a veterinarian and expert on H1N1 testing in animals at CSU, said in the CSU statement. "We are very interested in understanding more about H1N1 in cats and other pets and providing tests to veterinarians who suspect H1N1 in companion animals."

Swabs from the cats' mouths and noses were tested by CSU, and additional blood serum confirmation testing from Iowa State University confirmed they have the pandemic H1N1 strain.

Veterinarians believe both of the cats became ill with H1N1 after a person in their household contracted the virus.

In addition to receiving veterinary care, cats and ferrets with H1N1 should be made comfortable and get plenty of rest, enticing food and fluids.

The USDA is reporting three other confirmed cases of H1N1 in cats, one each in Oregon, Iowa and Pennsylvania. At least five ferrets have been confirmed to have H1N1, four in Oregon and one in Nebraska.

Pabilonia said that because this strain of H1N1 is new, information about how it impacts animals is limited. It is possible that any animal might be susceptible to H1N1, but no other cases have been documented in companion animals.

People with H1N1 or any flu should be careful when in contact with their pets. Pabilonia recommends they practice social distancing with pets just as they would with people. People who are ill should wash their hands before handling pets and, if possible, have someone who is well feed and care for pets. Just like people, pets are exposed to H1N1 through aerosols - fluids released when someone sneezes, coughs or touches their face and then a surface.

Because there only have been a few cases of H1N1 flu in pets, veterinarians have limited information about the symptoms. Pets with H1N1 might behave as if they aren't feeling well, acting lethargic and might appear to have a respiratory illness. If a pet seems ill, it should be taken to a veterinarian for an exam as soon as possible, and the veterinarian should be alerted that the pet has been exposed to someone with influenza.

CSU's Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory is testing pets for H1N1 as part of the U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Animal Health Laboratory Network. The test detects H1N1 influenza virus in animals. Tests are performed on nasal or mouth swabs. Swabs should be obtained by a veterinarian and submitted to the lab for results.

INFLUENZA PANDEMIC (H1N1) 2009, ANIMAL (35): ITALY, SWINE, OIE
**************************************************************

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ProMED-mail is a program of the

International Society for Infectious Diseases
 http://www.isid.org/ - <http://www.isid.org> 

Date: 4 Dec 2009 Source: OIE WAHID (World Animal Health Information Database) Disease  Information 2009; 22(50)

 http://www.oie.int/wahis/public.php?page=single_report&pop=1&reportid=8728 - <http://www.oie.int/wahis/public.php?page=single_report&pop=1&reportid=8728> 


Pandemic A/H1N1 virus, Italy

Information received on 04 Dec 2009 from Prof. Dr Romano Marabelli,  
Capo Dipartimento, Dipartimento Sanita Pubblica Veterinaria,  
Nutrizione e Sicurezza Alimenti, Ministero Lavoro,Salute e Politiche  
Sociali, Rome, Italy


Laboratory name and type: Experimental Zooprophylactic Institute  
(IZS), Brescia, National Reference Laboratory (National laboratory)  

Species Swine

Test reverse transcription - polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR)

Test date 27 Nov 2009

Result Positive

Future Reporting
The event is resolved. No more reports will be submitted.



Clearly we are going to see more of these transient infections in  
swine herds and other animal populations such as turkeys, domestic  
animals and maybe even exotic species. As these occurrence become more  
commonplace, we may have a chance to answer what it is about this  
particular human to animal interface that allows transmission.

It clearly can occur anywhere around the world as the list of countries  
where this has happened in swine now includes a pandemic type range of  
countries including Canada, Argentina, Australia, Singapore, United  
Kingdom, Ireland, Norway, Japan, Iceland, USA, Taiwan, Indonesia,  
Finland and now Italy -- see references below. People, especially farm  
workers but also pet owners, are simultaneously infected with pandemic  
H1N1 in large numbers across all these and other countries, so the  
question remains, why are these human to animal ocurrences successful  
crossings of the zoonotic bridge and why now? - Mod.PC

The Public Health Ministry on Thursday reported the first confirmed case of a pig being infected with the A(H1N1) virus, in Saraburi province.

Permanent secretary Paichit Varachit said one from a total of 80 pigs had tested positive for the virus.

Dr Paichit said the pig was believed to have caught the virus from a student at the pig breeding centre at Kasetsart University's Tapkwan Research Station in Kaeng Khoi district.

More than 130 farm workers and local residents have been placed under medical observation for seven days. No one has fallen ill so far, Dr Paichit said.

The pig had already recovered from the disease, he added.

There was no need for panic and pork was still safe to eat if it was cooked properly, he said.

The virus woud die if exposed to a temperature of 56 degrees Celsius or higher for 15 to 30 minutes, he said. Water boils at 100 degrees.

Mr Paichit also confirmed that there was no transmission of the virus from pigs to humans.

On Wednesday, the Public Health Ministry reported one new fatality from H1N1, bringing the country's death toll to 190.

The victim was a 72-year-old woman, who had a record of diabetes, high blood pressure and asthma.