# 322
Unlike most influenza viruses, which tend to restrict themselves to birds, humans, and pigs, the H5N1 virus is beginning to appear promiscuous. We’ve mentioned the ongoing suspicion that it may infect other mammals in the past, and a couple of days ago, Dr. C. A. Nidom reported finding 20% of stray cats tested in Jakarta as having been exposed to the virus.
Today, in an obscure report buried on the Detikcom news site, we get this story. I've not seen it picked up by any other news organization yet, so caveat lector. A tip of the hat to Dutchy on CE for finding this one.
17/01/2007 17:45 WIB
Bird Flu in Dogs and Cats in Bali
Denpasar - the bird flu Virus currently infects the cat and the dog. The newest research showed, the dog and the cat in Bali terindikasi strong infected by the virus H5N1.
"There were the very strong assumption, the dog and the cat in Bali contaminated by the bird flu virus," said the researcher the University of Udayana Denpasar Dr drh I Gusti Ngurah Mahardika, when being contacted detikcom, on Wednesday (17/1/2007).
This assumption was results of the Mahardika research into the sample 39 cats and 114 dogs that were spread all over the Balinese territory. This research was carried out in September-December 2006.
"In Fact results" of the "assumption research" of the "bird flu virus to the dog and the cat in Bali were the by-product from the actual research was focussed on the pig," said Mahardika.
However, Mahardika did not yet want to release results of the assumption research of bird flu to the pig in Bali. "Later to the middle next week would I the release in Denpasar," said he.
He will promise to explain the process of the mutation of the bird flu virus in his release later. Mahardika added, the spreading of the bird flu virus to the dog and the cat has happened more previously overseas.
"His spread between the cat that was unhealthy to the healthy cat," he finished. (Fay/nrl)
The existence of a hidden mammalian reservoir of the H5N1 virus has been suspected for some time. There have been reports, anecdotal for the most part, referencing the sudden deaths of dogs and cats in the vicinity of poultry outbreaks. In 2004, a number of Tigers fed infected chickens, became infected as well.
So the news here isn’t that it can happen. We’ve pretty much known that. The news, which is beginning to emerge, is that it may be happening more often than we suspect.
Before we get too carried away, there are a lot of unknowns.
First, we don’t know if these dogs and cats can transmit the virus to other species, including humans, although the article suggests that the virus spread from the `cat that was unhealthy to the healthy cat’. We also don’t know if most of these animals that tested positive were actively infected, or simply exposed sometime in the past.
A mammalian vector would help explain the small percentage of human cases where there has been no apparent contact with infected poultry. It might also explain how the virus can re-emerge after having seemingly been eradicated in domestic birds.
There are other candidates for vectors, or carriers of the virus, beyond dogs and cats. Pigs have been long known to be susceptible to influenza viruses, and Dr. Mahardika has previously stated he has detected the virus in swine. Rodents have been suggested as possible vectors as well.
All of this is very preliminary. Very early research: poorly funded for the most part, and subject to change. Hopefully we will hear more from Dr. Mahardika in the coming weeks and our knowledge will grow.
Should it prove correct that the H5N1 virus has an affinity for multiple mammalian vectors, then our concern increases. This will mean that simply eradicating infected birds in an area won’t necessarily get rid of the virus. And it also provides another possible route of infection of humans, and more opportunities for mutation.
While few of us in the western world, apart from farmers, are exposed on a daily basis to poultry, many of us live with companion animals such as dogs and cats. If they are susceptible to the virus, and can pass it on to humans, then this becomes another troubliing aspect to the avian flu universe.
For now, it is too soon to draw any firm conclusions. Too soon to assume anything in regards to this information. More research is desperately needed, and it is needed soon.
The H5N1 virus continues to surprise us. The more we learn about it, the more we realize how little we really know.
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