A cat in Iowa has reportedly been confirmed to be infected with the H1N1 virus.
Des Moines, Iowa (WiredPRNews.com) – The first known case of a feline being infected with the swine flu virus has been reported. As reported by the Associated Press (AP), officials have stated that a 13 year-old cat in Iowa has been confirmed to have the H1N1 virus.
Tom Skinner, a spokesman for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, is quoted in the report as stating of the occurrence, “We’ve known certainly it’s possible this could happen… This may be the first instance where we have documentation that transmission occurred involving cats or dogs.”
As noted by the AP, two individuals in the household in which the cat lived reportedly exhibited flu-like symptoms prior to it becoming ill. Dr. Brett Sponseller, who treated the cat, is quoted as stating, “It’s well documented in influenza in general, but this is the first highly suspected case of H1N1 going from humans into a cat.”
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Photo Found Wikipedia: Credit: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
