Iowa Department of Public Health: 'Protecting Pets from Illness'

'The Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH) and the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship (IDALS) remind Iowans that in addition to protecting their families, friends and neighbors from the spread of the 2009 H1N1 influenza virus, it’s important to remember to protect family pets from the illness, as well. People who are sick with H1N1 can spread the virus not only to humans, but to some animals.

'The Departments are sharing this message following the confirmation of a case of H1N1 in an Iowa cat.

'The 13-year-old indoor cat in Iowa was brought to the Lloyd Veterinary Medical Center at Iowa State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine, where it tested positive for the H1N1 virus. The diagnosis is the culmination of collaborative efforts between IDPH, Iowa State University College of Veterinary Medicine, Center for Advanced Host Defenses, Immunobiotics and Translational Comparative Medicine, USDA, and IDALS Animal Industry Bureau.'

Tips on how to spot and prevent infection in your cat (and dog), as well as much more, is available in Chapter 13: Keeping influenza A(H1N1) at Bay of our comprehensive swine flu preparedness manual.

Read the full article from the Iowa Department of Public Health's website here.