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H1N1 and Your Pet
 Recent
news reports about H1N1 Influenza in 2 ferrets and a cat have increased concern
of pet families everywhere.
To answer your
questions, Indian Walk Veterinary
Center has acquired the most
current information from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and
researchers in the field. This is an emerging issue in which new developments
occur very quickly, so be sure to check with us for updates.
Background
2009 H1N1 (sometimes called “swine flu”) is a new influenza virus causing
illness in people and animals. This new virus was first detected in people in
the United States in April 2009. The virus is spreading from person-to-person
worldwide, probably in much the same way that regular seasonal influenza viruses
spread. On June 11, 2009, the World Health Organization
(WHO) signaled that a pandemic of 2009 H1N1 flu was underway.
This virus was originally referred to as “swine flu” because laboratory testing
showed that many of the genes in this new virus were very similar to influenza
viruses that normally occur in pigs (swine) in North America. But further study
has shown that this new virus is very different from what normally circulates in
North American pigs. It has two genes from flu viruses that normally circulate
in pigs in Europe and Asia and bird (avian) genes and human genes.
Until
recently, we had no reason to believe pets could be infected with the 2009 H1N1
virus because it is very uncommon for flu viruses to jump between species.
However, on October 9, 2009, a USDA laboratory confirmed 2009/H1N1 infection in
a ferret. The ferret's owner had recently been ill with the flu. Ferrets are
more susceptible to infection with influenza viruses, so this was not altogether
surprising.
On November 4, the Iowa State Veterinarian and the Iowa Department of Public
Health announced that a pet cat was confirmed infected with the 2009 H1N1 flu
virus. The
cat's owners were ill and
the cat developed respiratory symptoms shortly afterward. The cat has recovered
and there is no evidence at this time
 that
the cat passed the virus to any people.
Pets
that live indoors, especially cats, tend to have close contact with their owners
- after all, that's why we have pets - and that increases their chances of being
exposed to diseases. The best advice is to always follow common sense guidelines
when dealing with animals (for example, washing your hands). In addition, it's
more important than ever that pet owners keep a good eye on their pet's health
and consult us immediately if their pet is showing any signs of illness. Keeping
your pets healthy reduces their risk of becoming ill.
FAQs:
What pets are susceptible to H1N1?
How do companion animals become infected with 2009 H1N1?
Can I get H1N1 from my pets?
What symptoms would I see in my pet if it developed H1N1?
How serious is this disease in dogs or cats?
What do I do if I am sick with flu-like
symptoms and I have pets?
Someone in my home is ill and may have the
2009 H1N1 virus. Should we board our pet(s) until this person has recovered?
Is there a vaccine that can be used for
pets? Can the human H1N1 vaccine be used for pets? What about the canine
influenza vaccine?
What should I do if I suspect my pet has
2009 H1N1 influenza virus?
Should infected pets
be treated with antiviral medications?
How long can
influenza virus remain viable on objects (such as books and doorknobs)?
What kills influenza virus?
What surfaces are most likely to be
sources of contamination?
What household cleaning should be done to
prevent the spread of influenza virus?
How should linens, eating utensils and
dishes of persons or pets infected with influenza virus be handled?
Can I get infected with 2009 H1N1 virus
from eating or preparing pork?
Is there a risk from drinking water?
What
pets are susceptible to H1N1?
At the current time there have been confirmed cases of H1N1 in 2 ferrets and 1
cat. So far no dogs have been infected with this particular virus. The virus has
been found in poultry, but it is not yet known whether pet birds are at risk.
To
date, the 2009 H1N1 virus has not been reported in pot-bellied pigs. However,
the possibility of human-to-pig transmission of the virus warrants extra caution
by pig owners. After all, pot-bellied pigs are swine, and therefore may be
susceptible to the virus. For the time being, a cautious approach would include
minimizing all contact between your pig and anyone who is ill or has recently
been exposed to an ill person. Remember that pot-bellied pigs can become ill
from a number of causes, and keeping your pig healthy and free of disease helps
protect your pig as well as you. If you have a pet pig and it appears ill,
consult us immediately.
How do companion animals become infected with 2009 H1N1?
All available information
suggests that the ferrets and domestic cat with 2009 H1N1 infections acquired
the virus through close contact with ill humans. Transmission of 2009 H1N1 virus
from humans to animals appears similar to human-to-human transmission
Can I get H1N1 from my pets?
You are much more likely to catch the flu (any type
of flu, including the 2009 H1N1 flu) from an infected person than you are from
an animal. So far, all of the pets infected with the 2009 H1N1 virus became
infected from being around their ill owners. None of them transmitted the
disease to any human. The main lesson here is that if you're feeling ill and
have flu-like symptoms, you should probably limit your contact with your pets
(and other people, for that matter) until you are feeling better.
What symptoms would I see in my pet if it developed H1N1?
Based on what's been reported, ferrets and one cat
have shown signs of respiratory illness. These signs can include inactivity,
loss of appetite, fever, runny nose and/or eyes, sneezing, coughing, or changes
in breathing (including difficulty breathing). As always, if your pet is showing
signs of illness, it should be examined by one of our doctors.
Keep
in mind that dogs currently have their own flu virus, the H3N8 influenza (canine
influenza) virus, going around. So far, this flu virus has only been spread from
dog to dog. Dogs infected with the canine influenza virus show the same symptoms
as dogs with kennel cough – fever, inactivity, loss of appetite, coughing, and
maybe a runny nose. For more in-depth information on
canine influenza, see our article.
How serious is this disease in dogs or cats?
We don't yet know. There haven't been any reports
of dogs infected with the 2009 H1N1 flu virus, and there has only been one cat
confirmed to be infected. The infected cat and one of the ferrets recovered from
the illness. A second infected ferret died.
What do I do if I am sick with flu-like symptoms and I have pets?
If you are sick with influenza-like-illness, take the same precautions with your
pets that you would to keep your family and friends healthy:
Someone in my home is ill and may have the 2009 H1N1 virus.
Should we board our pet(s) until this person has recovered?
That decision is really up to you. Your pet may have already been exposed to the
virus by the time the family member starts showing symptoms, so it might not be
best to uproot your pet, possibly stressing them, and put them in another
environment. If you're worried your pet may become infected with the influenza
virus, treat your pet like you would any other family member – follow good
hygiene when you come in contact with them, and limit their exposure to ill
family members.
Is there a vaccine that can be used for pets? Can the human
H1N1 vaccine be used for pets? What about the canine influenza vaccine?
There is no licensed and approved 2009 H1N1 vaccine for pets. The human H1N1
vaccine should not be used for pets. The canine influenza vaccine, which
protects dogs from the H3N8 flu virus, will not protect pets against the 2009
H1N1 virus and should not be used in any species other than dogs.
What should I do if I suspect my pet has 2009
H1N1 influenza virus?
If members of your household have flu-like symptoms, and your pet exhibits
respiratory illness, contact us immediately. We may submit swabs of oral or
nasal discharges to the lab at Penn State University to process. They must get
approval from the USDA in order to perform the test on any animal other than
swine.
If the state laboratory's
test is positive for the 2009 H1N1 virus, the sample is sent to the National
Veterinary Services Laboratories (NVSL) for confirmatory testing.
Should
infected pets be treated with antiviral medications?
Most people infected with the 2009 H1N1 flu virus have recovered with only
supportive care and have not needed antiviral treatment. At this time, there is
no reason to believe the situation is any different for pets. Be aware that
pandemic planning, by necessity, places a priority on treating infection in
people. For that reason, antiviral medication supplies will be closely guarded
and there may be strict guidelines in place that will determine how they are
dispensed. It may not be possible to acquire antivirals for use in animals.
How
long can influenza virus remain viable on objects (such as books and doorknobs)?
Studies have shown that influenza virus can survive on environmental surfaces
and can infect a person for 2 to 8 hours after being deposited on the surface.
What kills influenza virus?
Influenza virus is destroyed by heat (167-212°F [75-100°C]). In addition,
several chemical germicides, including chlorine, hydrogen peroxide, detergents
(soap), iodophors (iodine-based antiseptics), and alcohols are effective against
human influenza viruses if used in proper concentration for a sufficient length
of time.
What surfaces are most likely to be sources of
contamination?
Germs can be spread when a person touches something that is contaminated with
germs and then touches his or her eyes, nose, or mouth. Droplets from a cough or
sneeze of an infected person move through the air. Germs can be spread when a
person touches respiratory droplets from another person on a surface like a
desk, for example, and then touches their own eyes, mouth or nose before washing
their hands.
What household cleaning should be done to prevent
the spread of influenza virus?
To prevent the spread of influenza virus it is important to keep surfaces
(especially bedside tables, surfaces in the bathroom, kitchen counters and toys
for children and pets) clean by wiping them down with a household disinfectant
according to directions on the product label.
How should
linens, eating utensils and dishes of persons or pets infected with influenza
virus be handled?
Linens, eating utensils, and dishes belonging to those who are sick do not need
to be cleaned separately, but importantly these items should not be shared
without washing thoroughly first. Linens (such as bed sheets, towels and pet
beds) should be washed by using household laundry soap and tumbled dry on a hot
setting. Individuals should wash their hands with soap and water or
alcohol-based hand rub immediately after handling dirty laundry. Eating utensils
and pet food bowls should be washed either in a dishwasher or by hand with water
and soap.
Can I get
infected with 2009 H1N1 virus from eating or preparing pork?
No. 2009 H1N1 viruses are not spread by food. You cannot get infected with novel
HIN1 virus from eating pork or pork products. Eating properly handled and cooked
pork products is safe.
Is there a risk from drinking water?
Tap water that has been treated by conventional disinfection processes does not
likely pose a risk for transmission of influenza viruses. Current drinking water
treatment regulations provide a high degree of protection from viruses. No
research has been completed on the susceptibility of 2009 H1N1 flu virus to
conventional drinking water treatment processes. However, recent studies have
demonstrated that free chlorine levels typically used in drinking water
treatment are adequate to inactivate highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza. It
is likely that other influenza viruses such as 2009 H1N1 would also be similarly
inactivated by chlorination. To date, there have been no documented human cases
of influenza caused by exposure to influenza-contaminated drinking water.
For more
information:
Centers for Disease Control
http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/
For general information on H1N1 flu, general health information guidelines,
updates on the status of the H1N1 flu outbreak, and travel advisories
American Veterinary Medical Association
http://www.avma.org/public_health/influenza/default.asp
United States Department of Agriculture
http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/?navid=USDA_H1N1.
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