Source:  AVMA, 2/14/11

IDEXX Laboratories announced that infection with the 2009 H1N1 influenza virus was confirmed in a 6-year-old cat in Wisconsin. The cat's owner had recently been ill with flu-like symptoms prior to the cat's illness. The cat developed severe respiratory illness; despite aggressive treatment, the cat deteriorated and was euthanized. A second cat in the household also developed severe respiratory disease and was euthanized due to failure to respond to treatment; although samples from that cat were negative for the virus, 2009 H1N1 influenza remains the presumptive cause of illness and death in the second cat. For more information, read the IDEXX industry alert.

Until now, the last confirmed 2009 H1N1influenza infection in a pet was reported in January 2010. These new cases serve as a reminder that the virus is still circulating in the population and is still capable of infecting people and pets.

AVMA has updated its 2009 H1N1 resources, all of which are available on its website, www.avma.org