Alert: 2009 H1N1 influenza-infected dog in New York

A dog from the Katonah Bedford Veterinary Center in Bedford Hills, New York, has tested positive for the H1N1 virus on the IDEXX H1N1 Influenza Virus RealPCR™ Test.

A 13-year-old dog had a several-day history of not feeling or eating well, a dry cough and a fever on presentation to its veterinarian. The dog was treated for pneumonia and improved with hospitalization and supportive care. The dog tested positive on the IDEXX H1N1 Influenza Virus RealPCR Test. A more detailed case description is available.

Background

In the United States, the H1N1 influenza virus has been confirmed recently as the cause of respiratory disease in several ferrets and cats resulting in more than one death in each of these species. These infections were believed to have been contracted from infected owners. There was an unconfirmed report of dogs infected in China in late November. The case described here is what is believed to be the first reported case of a dog infected with the H1N1 influenza virus in the United States. The dog’s owner had also recently tested positive for H1N1 influenza virus. The Iowa State University Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory has confirmed independently that the influenza strain is the new pandemic strain circulating in the human population and not a swine-specific H1N1 strain.

For up-to-date news on the 2009 H1N1 flu virus outbreak and FAQs from the American Veterinary Medical Association go to http://www.avma.org/public_health/influenza/new_virus/default.asp

Clinical Signs

The clinical signs of H1N1 virus infection are likely to resemble those of other common respiratory infections. However, more severe respiratory disease, including pneumonia, may be possible. Clinical signs may include:

* Coughing, sneezing and oculonasal discharge
* Fever, lethargy and loss of appetite
* Dyspnea and tachypnea

Because the clinical signs of H1N1 virus infection resemble those of other respiratory infections, IDEXX has included the H1N1 Influenza Virus RealPCR™ Test in the Feline Upper Respiratory Disease (URD) and Canine Respiratory Disease (CRD) RealPCR™ panels at no additional cost. These panels include PCR tests for the more common feline and canine pathogens, which are still more likely causes of respiratory disease in patients. The H1N1 Influenza Virus RealPCR Test also can be ordered as a stand-alone test.