H1N1 Flu Virus and Cats

Listed as Reported Chronologically Below
The actual dates of first admission to veterinary clinics and first documented test confirmations may vary widely from the dates of reporting.

• November 4, 2009
  A cat in Iowa was tested positive for the H1N1 virus. The cat apparently contracted the virus from human family members, and recovered. Reported by the Iowa State Veterinarian and the Iowa Department of Public Health.
• November 13, 2009
  A cat in Park City, UT was first taken to the veterinary clinic on November 3, 2009, initially tested negative for the H1N1 virus (probably because the cat had already shed the virus prior to the nasal samples were taken), but serologically confirmed with a hemagglutination inhibition assay by the laboratory at Iowa State University on November 13. The cat recovered fully.
• November 18, 2009
  A cat in Lebanon, Oregon was first taken to the vet clinic on November 3, 2009, and died on November 7th. Preliminary test results were positive for H1N1, however until further confirmation, at the time of reporting this is a presumed, not confirmed, case of 2009 H1N1 influenza infection, according to the AVMA.
• November 24th, 2009
  A second Oregon cat, on the coast, died from the H1N1 virus, also contracted from its owner. Reported by Oregon Public Health Veterinarian Emilio DeBess.
• Unknown Date
  From the AVMA: A third cat, in Oregon, died from 2009 H1N1 influenza-related pneumonia. As with the other cats, this cat showed signs of respiratory disease after a human member of the household had been ill with flu-like symptoms. Despite treatment, the cat died. Tests confirmed infection with the 2009 H1N1 influenza virus.
• Late November, 2009
  From the AVMA: A sixth cat confirmed to be infected with the virus died in late November. This cat had pre-existing respiratory problems – severe pneumonia and fluid accumulation inside its chest caused the cat's death despite veterinary treatment.
• Early December, 2009
  From the AVMA: Two cats in different households in Colorado were confirmed to be infected with the 2009 H1N1 flu virus in early December 2009. Both cats recovered from their illness.
• Unknown Date
  
The seventh infected cat, and the third to die in the U.S. from complications related to 2009 H1N1 influenza infection, lived in Pennsylvania.
• December 28, 2009
  
Maddie, an 8 year-old cat in Southern California, was infected with the H1N1 virus, contracted from her owner. The cat was taken to her veterinarian within 24 hours of symptoms, and is recovering.

Of note are two other cases of H1N1 in animals:

• The first dog with H1N1 was reported in late December, 2009. As with cats, the dog apparently contracted the virus from human family members.
• One Cheetah in a private zoo in Southern California was confirmed with the H1N1 virus (and three other Cheetas, sick, but not tested) The zookeeper was suspected to be the source of the virus.

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