Fatal avian influenza A H5N1 in a dog.

Avian influenza H5N1 virus is known to cross the species barrier and infect humans and felines. We report a fatal H5N1 infection in a dog following ingestion of an H5N1-infected duck during an outbreak in Thailand in 2004. With new reports of H5N1 virus continuing across Asia, Europe, and Africa, this finding highlights the need for monitoring of domestic animals during outbreaks.

Genetic characterization of influenza A viruses (H5N1) isolated from 3rd wave of Thailand AI outbreaks.

Three major outbreaks of avian influenza (AI) occurred in Thailand. During the third episode in October 2005, we have isolated H5N1 viruses from one human case and three poultry cases. The whole genomes of AI viruses from human, chickens and quail from the outbreaks were characterized.

Avian influenza H5N1 in naturally infected domestic cat.

We report H5N1 virus infection in a domestic cat infected by eating a pigeon carcass. The virus isolated from the pigeon and the cat showed the same cluster as the viruses obtained during the outbreak in Thailand. Since cats are common house pets, concern regarding disease transmission to humans exists.

Domestic ducks and H5N1 influenza epidemic, Thailand.

In addition to causing 12 human deaths and 17 cases of human infection, the 2004 outbreak of H5N1 influenza virus in Thailand resulted in the death or slaughter of 60 million domestic fowl and the disruption of poultry production and trade. After domestic ducks were recognized as silent carriers of H5N1 influenza virus, government teams went into every village to cull flocks in which virus was detected; these team efforts markedly reduced H5N1 infection. Here we examine the pathobiology and epidemiology of H5N1 influenza virus in the 4 systems of duck raising used in Thailand in 2004.