Iowa House Kitty Tested Positive for H1N1 Swine Flu

A 13-year-old Iowa house kitty tested positive for H1N1 swine flu causing the Iowa Department of Public Health and the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship to remind Iowans to protect pets from illness.

Apparently the cat caught the H1N1 virus from one of the people living in its home.

IDPH Public Health Veterinarian, Dr. Ann Garvey said, “Two of the three members of the family that owns the pet had suffered from influenza-like illness before the cat became ill. This is not completely unexpected, as other strains of influenze have been found in cats in the past.”

Both the house kitty and the owners have recovered.

H1N1 swine flu has also been found in pigs, turkeys and ferrets.

If you are a pet owner, be sure to check the American Veterinary Medical Association website for updates on H1N1. While we know the Iowa house kitty tested positive for H1N1 swine flu, other pets may also be susceptible.