Can H1N1-Infected Pets Transmit Swine Flu?
Human H1N1 Virus Transmission to Cats and Ferrets Documented in US
Nov 6, 2009
The mounting concern over human H1N1 infection and vaccination is palpable. New findings have exposed another unsettling fact: certain household pets are also vulnerable to the H1N1 infection. Does this mean that those infected pets could in turn transmit the swine flu disease to humans?
Household Pets Vulnerable to Swine Flu Virus
United States officials have confirmed that the swine flu pandemic has crossed species from humans to household pets. There have been three confirmed cases of cats carrying the H1N1 virus, including the first feline fatality in Lebanon, Oregon. To date, one ferret in Nebraska has died from the virus. In all cases it appears that the pet owners themselves were infected with swine flu.
Scott Weese, a zoonotic disease specialist at the University of Guelph, stated in an interview with The Globe & Mail that the H1N1 virus carries a mix of human, avian and swine flu genes. Weese maintained that because of this genetic combination it is difficult to determine which species of pets are more at risk of infection than others. However, as Weese commented in the Ontario Veterinary College's Centre for Public Health and Zoonoses blog, "Worms & Germs," ferrets and cats are likely to pose a higher risk of susceptibility as these animals are already known to be susceptible to various other influenza.
Pets as a Source of H1N1 Virus Infection in Humans
Now that the swine flu virus has crossed species from owners to pets, could the H1N1 virus transmit from infected pets to humans? According to former chief veterinary officer of the United States Alfonso Torres, pet zoonosis is theoretically possible but there is no evidence yet of the disease crossing back to infect humans. However, Weese cautions “never say never with an infectious disease.”
Is there a risk of cats bringing the virus into the home through mixing with other infected cats? Potentially, says feline specialist Drew Weigner, DMV, in the November 5, 2009 WebMD article "Cat Gets H1N1 Swine Flu."
"While there is currently no evidence that cats can transmit H1N1 to cats or other pets, it would not be surprising to find transmission from one cat to another – but this is not yet known to have occurred."
Precautions For Owners of H1N1-Infected Pets
There have been no documented cases of household pets infected with the H1N1 virus passing the disease on to humans. However, pet owners should take note of the possibility of transmission and respect the microbiological connection they share with their pets. This means taking steps to avoid close contact with the infected animal and washing hands after any interaction.
Pets exhibiting signs of flu-like symptoms should be taken to a veterinarian as soon as possible as there is currently no H1N1 vaccine for cats or ferrets.
Sources:
Discovery News. Could Humans Infect Pets with H1N1? (accessed November 6, 2009)
WebMD Cat Gets H1N1 Swine Flu: Iowa Cat Got Pandemic Flu Bug From Owners (accessed November 6, 2009)
Worms & Germs Blog. Pets and H1N1 Revisted (accessed November 6, 2009)
Ubelacker, Sheryl. "Pets may be susceptible to H1N1." The Globe and Mail, November 6, 2009
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