Pandemic (H1N1) 2009 in Captive Cheetah

Beate Crossley,Marie Martinez,Adam Rubrum,Daniel Darnell,Richard Webby,Sharon Hietala,Glenn Benjamin,Tania Hunt

doi:10.3201/eid1802.111245

Abstract

We describe virus isolation, full genome sequence analysis, and clinical pathology in ferrets experimentally inoculated with pandemic (H1N1) 2009 virus recovered from a clinically ill captive cheetah that had minimal human contact. Evidence of reverse zoonotic transmission by fomites underscores the substantial animal and human health implications of this virus.

Highlights

We describe virus isolation, full genome sequence analysis, and clinical pathology in ferrets experimentally inoculated with pandemic (H1N1) 2009 virus recovered from a clinically ill captive cheetah that had minimal human contact
At the recommendation of a volunteer worker who was professionally affiliated with the California Public Health Department, a nasal swab sample was obtained from animal D 2–3 days following the onset of clinical signs
The nasal swab samples were processed according to a standardized procedure distributed by the United States Department of Agriculture National Veterinary Services Laboratory through the National Animal Health Laboratory Network

Summary

Introduction

Full genome sequence analysis, and clinical pathology in ferrets experimentally inoculated with pandemic (H1N1) 2009 virus recovered from a clinically ill captive cheetah that had minimal human contact. At the recommendation of a volunteer worker who was professionally affiliated with the California Public Health Department, a nasal swab sample was obtained from animal D 2–3 days following the onset of clinical signs. A swab sample was obtained from animal C, another 8-year-old cheetah, ≈4–6 days after it showed clinical signs.

Results

Conclusion