I just received a notification from the AVMA that a 10-year old male cat in Oregon has reportedly died from H1N1 infection. The cat was presented to a veterinarian on November 4 and died on November 7, 2009. From the AVMA Flu Virus Outbreak page:
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.
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.
More from the OVMA
The Oregon Veterinary Medical Association (OVMA) reports that the cat presented with rapid shallow breathing, but did not show signs of coughing and sneezing. The three other cats in the household showed signs of sneezing and coughing in varying degrees, but none of them tested positive for H1N1. Read full OVMA report
The Big Picture
While this is a new twist to the H1N1 and pets story, it is important not to panic. All cases of pets becoming ill have been from humans transmitting the virus TO pets. Washing hands, covering coughs, isolating sick individuals and visiting the doctor/vet when sick are the mainstays of prevention.
The number of confirmed cases of H1N1 in pets is extremely small compared to the pet population in general. Many pets housed with humans who are ill from the flu have not caught the virus. Practicing good personal hygiene and environmental sanitation and isolating sick individuals will help keep your pets healthy.