Iowa Cat Diagnosed with Swine Flu

Boston (DbTechNo) - Ever since a cat from Iowa tested positive for the swine flu virus, veterinarians have been warning pet owners to pay close attention to their pets.

The cat was the first feline to be diagnosed with the virus, leading many to wonder if a pet pandemic is on the way?

In the case of the Iowa cat, its owners had reported having flu like symptoms not long before the cat fell ill, leading to speculation that they also had the virus, passing it on to their beloved cat.

Other animals to contract the swine flu virus are ferrets and pigs, but no dogs as of yet.

“This is just another illustration of why influenza viruses are so tricky and frustrating and interesting at the same time, is this ability to occasionally jump species,” said Dr. Carolyn Bridges of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Since swine flu emerged in April this year it has killed more than 6,000 people world wide.