CNN article explores raw meat and milk pet deaths on West Coast; Washington Post account of critically ill Canadian H5N1 victim is a lesson in non-scalability of intensive treatment required
Thank you for keeping us (your readers) up to date on latest events regarding H521 in cats. However the evidence of its impact in dogs seems murky at best. Please forgive me if I remain skeptical about a foreign dog dying because of the virus until more specifics about that or other cases are provided.
Also, the Washington Post article is behind a paywall. Do you have another recommended resource?
Thanks for the heads up, Carrie! I edited the blog with a "gift" link to the Washington Post article. You and all readers should be able to access it now.
You are correct that the evidence in dogs is less straight-forward. However, I don't think we want the virus infecting any species, regardless. H5N1 is not static. Dogs are susceptible to canine influenza (H3N2 and H3N8), making reassortment events with H5N1 in a dual-infected animal at least a theoretical risk.
In addition, the virus is highly fatal to U.S. foxes:
Thank you for keeping us (your readers) up to date on latest events regarding H521 in cats. However the evidence of its impact in dogs seems murky at best. Please forgive me if I remain skeptical about a foreign dog dying because of the virus until more specifics about that or other cases are provided.
Also, the Washington Post article is behind a paywall. Do you have another recommended resource?
Thanks for the heads up, Carrie! I edited the blog with a "gift" link to the Washington Post article. You and all readers should be able to access it now.
You are correct that the evidence in dogs is less straight-forward. However, I don't think we want the virus infecting any species, regardless. H5N1 is not static. Dogs are susceptible to canine influenza (H3N2 and H3N8), making reassortment events with H5N1 in a dual-infected animal at least a theoretical risk.
In addition, the virus is highly fatal to U.S. foxes:
https://www.aphis.usda.gov/livestock-poultry-disease/avian/avian-influenza/hpai-detections/mammals
This link lists 29 red fox mortalities in U.S. wildlife. The foxes were most likely infected orally, though not proven.
We'll all stay tuned. This virus is with us world-wide and move information is available daily.
John