Concurrent 2009 Pandemic Influenza A (H1N1) Virus Infection in Ferrets and in a Community in Pennsylvania

Abstract

We report a fall 2010 cluster of pandemic influenza A/H1N1 (pH1N1) infections in pet ferrets in Lehigh Valley region of Pennsylvania. The ferrets were associated with one pet shop. The influenza cluster occurred during a period when the existing human surveillance systems had identified little to no pH1N1 in humans in the Lehigh Valley, and there were no routine influenza surveillance systems for exotic pets. The index case was a 2.5-month-old neutered male ferret that was presented to a veterinary clinic with severe influenza-like illness (ILI). In response to laboratory notification of a positive influenza test result, and upon request from the Pennsylvania Department of Health (PADOH), the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture (PDA) conducted an investigation to identify other ill ferrets and to identify the source and extent of infection. PDA notified the PADOH of the pH1N1 infection in the ferrets, leading to enhanced human surveillance and the detection of pH1N1 human infections in the surrounding community. Five additional ferrets with ILI linked to the pet shop were identified. This simultaneous outbreak of ferret and human pH1N1 demonstrates the important link between animal health and public health and highlights the potential use of veterinary clinics for sentinel surveillance of diseases shared between animals and humans.

Selected Emerging Diseases in Ferrets

“…During 2009 to 2010 there were several reports of influenza in ferrets. There were 2 reports of naturally occurring influenza in pet ferrets in Pennsylvania, 28 Nebraska, and Oregon 29 and one report in a colony of ferrets 30 in Iowa. In addition, there was one black-footed ferret with influenza in a California zoologic setting.…”

“…This vigilance helped to increase the identification of humans infected with this same strain. 28 Experimentally, reassortment of different strains of influenza in ferrets has been proved via coinfection with both a human and avian strain of the virus. Therefore, a ferret exposed to both a pathogenic and seasonal strain of influenza could act as mediator for the formation of a pathogenic form of the seasonal influenza.…”

“…It was suspected but not confirmed that the virus was contracted from humans interacting with the animals. 28…”

“…In the naturally occurring cases of influenza in 2009 to 2010, the most common presenting complaints were coughing, sneezing, oculonasal discharge, and lethargy. [27][28][29][30] The physical examination findings included dyspnea, oculonasal discharge, and a fever between 104 and 105 F (40 -40.6 C). 28,29 Ferrets are used frequently in a research setting for influenza investigation.…”

“…[27][28][29][30] The physical examination findings included dyspnea, oculonasal discharge, and a fever between 104 and 105 F (40 -40.6 C). 28,29 Ferrets are used frequently in a research setting for influenza investigation. Therefore, a more complete picture of the clinical disease has been described in the laboratory setting.…”