Open AccessSurveillance of feral cats for influenza A virus in North Central Florida
Author(s) -
Gordy James T.,
Jones Cheryl A.,
Rue Joanne,
Crawford Patti Cynda,
Levy Julie K.,
Stallknecht David E.,
Tripp Ralph A.,
Tompkins Stephen M.
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
influenza and other respiratory viruses
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.743
H-Index - 57
eISSN - 1750-2659
pISSN - 1750-2640
DOI - 10.1111/j.1750-2659.2011.00325.x
Subject(s) - cats , embryonated , virology , virus , biology , influenza a virus , serology , transmission (telecommunications) , pandemic , influenza a virus subtype h5n1 , medicine , antibody , immunology , covid-19 , disease , infectious disease (medical specialty) , pathology , electrical engineering , engineering
Please cite this paper as: Gordy JT et al. (2012) Surveillance of feral cats for influenza A virus in North Central Florida. Influenza and Other Respiratory Viruses 6(5), 341–347. Background Transmission of highly pathogenic avian influenza and the recent pandemic H1N1 viruses to domestic cats and other felids creates concern because of the morbidity and mortality associated with human infections as well as disease in the infected animals. Experimental infections have demonstrated transmission of influenza viruses in cats. Objectives An epidemiologic survey of feral cats was conducted to determine their exposure to influenza A virus. Methods Feral cat sera and oropharyngeal and rectal swabs were collected from November 2008 through July 2010 in Alachua County, FL and were tested for evidence of influenza A virus infection by virus isolation, PCR, and serological assay. Results and conclusions No virus was isolated from any of 927 cats examined using MDCK cell or embryonated chicken egg culture methods, nor was viral RNA detected by RT‐PCR in 200 samples tested. However, 0.43% of cats tested antibody positive for influenza A by commercial ELISA. These results suggest feral cats in this region are at minimal risk for influenza A virus infection.