Swine Flu, also known as H1N1 Flu, is an influenza virus that is being passed from human to human. This type of influenza is named the Swine Flu because it originated in pigs and now is being passed to humans, such as the Bird Flu. The United States of America has had many cases of the H1N1 (Swine) Flu.
The name of this influenza virus is being changed to H1N1 Flu because doctors are no longer sure if this virus actually was being passed from a pig to a human. More questions are answered about the virus in many other articles such as Swine Flu: What You Need to Know.
Cats and the Swine Flu
If pigs can pass this type of influenza to humans, can humans pass it on to cats? There has not been any indication of humans passing H1N1 Flu to cats. Influenza viruses are not easily passed from human to animal.
Cats can get certain types of influenza, but not any cases of the H1N1 virus is known. The influenza virus that can be passed to cats is known as H5N1. The H5N1 influenza virus is a type A influenza virus that birds and/or cats can pass on to cats.
Keeping Cats Safe From Influenza Viruses
Since there is an influenza virus that can be transmitted to cats, protective measures can be taken. One way to prevent a cat from getting H5N1 is to keep the cat indoors. Birds and other cats can pass this influenza virus on so keeping a cat indoors is the easiest way to prevent the virus. If a cat shows signs of illness, then a veterinarian needs to be contacted.
H5N1 is also known as Avian Influenza A because birds are the main species infected with the virus. Being the main species with this virus, birds are also the main transmitters of the virus. This influenza virus is passed through a bird's saliva and feces.The main transmitter of the H5N1 virus to cats has been chickens. There have been some reports of cats getting the virus from eating H5N1 infected chickens.
Cat Symptoms of Influenza Virus
Many cats that have been infected with the H5N1 virus have not shown any influenza signs. This is a reason why taking a cat for annual visits to a veterinarian is very important. If a cat is showing poor health or if a cat has had contact with a sick bird, a veterinarian needs to be contacted right away.
More information about cats and the H5N1 virus can be found in many articles such as Subclinical Infection with Avian Influenza A (H5N1) Virus in Cats written by members of the CDC.
Carly Duff - Carly Duff is a writer and has knowledge in animals, crafts, camping, hiking and backpacking. She has her Certificate of Journalism from ...
