Surveillance of feral cats for influenza A virus in north central Florida.
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.


OBJECTIVE
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.


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.
Department of Infectious Diseases, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA.
James T
JT
Gordy
Cheryl A
CA
Jones
Joanne
J
Rue
Patti Cynda
PC
Crawford
Julie K
JK
Levy
David E
DE
Stallknecht
Ralph A
RA
Tripp
Stephen M
SM
Tompkins
D000818:Animals; D000835:Animals, Wild; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000097:blood; D002371:Cat Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000821:virology; D002415:Cats; D002460:Cell Line; D002642:Chick Embryo; D004285:Dogs; D005260:Female; D005431:Florida / Q000453:epidemiology; D009980:Influenza A virus / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D008297:Male; D009960:Oropharynx / Q000821:virology; D009976:Orthomyxoviridae Infections / Q000662:veterinary* / Q000821:virology; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D044967:Serum / Q000276:immunology; D014776:Virus Cultivation
D000914:Antibodies, Viral