NYC: Cats catch the flu from new strain of feline influenza- H7N2

[Shiloh]

Source: http://nypost.com/2016/12/11/cats-ca...ine-influenza/


Cats catch the flu from new strain of feline influenza
By Laura Italiano
December 11, 2016 | 1:39am

An outbreak of flu among 13 cats at an uptown Manhattan animal shelter has veterinary experts across the country scratching their heads ? because cats just don?t catch the flu.

?That?s the main question. Where is this flu coming from?? says Dr. Sandra Newbury, director of the Shelter Medicine Program at the University of Wisconsin.

?This is something new,? she said.

Manhattan?s unlucky 13 cats got sick late last month at the Animal Care Center shelter on East 110th Street ? with what is apparently a totally new strain of feline influenza A...

[gsgs]

sequences ?

--------------edit----------------
Genetic material from cheek swabs of the Manhattan 13 are currently being
sequenced at the Wisconsin Veterinary Diagnostic Lab in Madison, Newbury
said.

[unlikely a new strain, IMO - in NY-cats)

[Shiloh]

Source: http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/...icle-1.2912367


Rare bird flu strain infects 45 cats in single Manhattan shelter and may have spread to recently adopted felines
BY
Glenn Blain
NEW YORK DAILY NEWS
Thursday, December 15, 2016, 7:10 PM

A rare strain of bird flu has infected at least 45 cats in a Manhattan animal shelter, officials said Thursday...

The virus is thought to pose a low risk to humans but health officials are concerned that it could have infected additional cats that have already been adopted from Animal Care Center?s Manhattan shelter.

...Health officials believe Nov. 12th is the earliest date that the virus could have been introduced into the shelter and they have begun contacting people who have adopted cats from the facility since then.

They urge anyone who adopted Manhattan shelter cats in the past month to call the Health Department at 866-692-3641 for care instructions and to keep their cat separated from other animals if they show signs of persistent cough, lip smacking, runny nose, and fever.

Officials are also advising these pet owners to call the Health Department if they develop fever with a sore throat, fever with a cough, or red, inflamed eyes.

The outbreak marks the first time the virus - H7N2 has been detected and transmitted among domestic cats. It is unknown how the cats contracted the virus.

So far, the shelter has tested 20 dogs and none have contracted this virus. Testing of other animals, including rabbits and guinea pigs, is ongoing...

[Pathfinder]

Health Department, Animal Care Centers of NYC Report Cases of Rare Influenza Virus Among Cats at ACC’s Manhattan Facility

H7N2 strain has caused mild illness in cats in Manhattan shelter and is thought to pose a low risk to humans

The Health Department is contacting persons who recently adopted Manhattan shelter cats

December 15, 2016 – The Health Department and the Animal Care Centers of NYC (ACC) today announced that a strain of influenza A virus, known as low pathogenic avian influenza H7N2, has been identified in 45 cats housed at the Manhattan shelter. This is the first time this virus has been detected and transmitted among domestic cats. It is unknown how the cats contracted the virus. So far this virus causes mild illness in cats and is thought to pose a low risk to humans. There have been only two documented human cases of low pathogenic avian influenza H7N2 infection in the United States – one in a farmer who worked closely with chickens in 2002 and the other with an unknown source in 2003. Both of these patients recovered.

Based on recent testing data by the University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Veterinary Medicine, November 12, 2016 is the earliest date when this virus was likely introduced into the shelter. The Health Department is contacting all persons who have adopted cats from ACC’s Manhattan care center since November 12th. The Health Department is advising persons who adopted Manhattan shelter cats during this period to call the Department at 866-692-3641 for care instructions, including keeping their cat separated from other cats or animals, if their cat is showing signs of persistent cough, lip smacking, runny nose, and fever. The Health Department is also advising these pet owners to call 866-692-3641 if they develop fever with a sore throat, fever with a cough, or red, inflamed eyes.

This influenza virus is spreading from cat to cat and may be able to spread to other animals and possibly humans. No human infections have been identified to date. To date, ACC has tested 20 dogs at the shelter, and none have contracted this virus. Testing of other animals, including rabbits and guinea pigs, is ongoing. There have been no reported cases of this virus among cats outside of the ACC shelter system.

ACC will continue to distribute instructions to all new and recent cat adopters to monitor their cats, which includes guidance on checking animals for upper respiratory illness. The Health Department is coordinating closely with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the US Department of Agriculture, the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and community partners.
“Although this strain of the avian flu has only resulted in mild to moderate illness in some cats located in one shelter, we have begun to test staff and people in close contact with the cats out of an abundance of caution,” said First Deputy Health Commissioner Dr. Oxiris Barbot. “We will continue to actively monitor all people involved and adapt our response accordingly.”
“While we are concerned about this new infection, the cats are experiencing only mild to moderate illness, other than one older cat who developed pneumonia,” said Sandra Newbury, clinical assistant professor at the University of Wisconsin School of Veterinary Medicine and director of the UW Shelter Medicine Program. “Many of the cats who were initially ill are already recovering. We do want people to be aware of what is happening, but influenza infection is unlikely in cats who have not had contact with cats from New York City’s Manhattan Animal Care Center."

Most of the infected cats have had a mild illness. One infected cat, who had underlying health problems and advanced age, died. The Health Department and ACC are working to identify a quarantine facility while the Manhattan shelter is disinfected. The cats will be monitored and released from quarantine once they have all fully recovered. To help contain the outbreak, the Health Department strongly discourages New Yorkers from dropping off cats at the ACC Manhattan shelter until all cats are quarantined.

While this influenza infection is unlikely in cats who have not had contact with cats from the ACC shelter, owners whose animals show signs of influenza should contact their veterinarian for care instructions and hand washing precautions should be taken to prevent spread of the virus on hands and clothing.

The Health Department will be coordinating testing and care for ACC employees and volunteers.

The Health Department will be releasing guidance to veterinarians about how to evaluate cats suspected of being infected with this virus and guidance to physicians about how to evaluate humans who have been exposed to cats suspected of having this virus.

The Wisconsin Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory made the initial identification of the strain and the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Veterinary Services Laboratory confirmed the test results.

Kathy Toohey-Kurth, at The Wisconsin Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, working with the University of Wisconsin-Madison Shelter Medicine Program, made the initial identification of the strain and the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Veterinary Services Laboratory confirmed the test results. The University of Wisconsin-Madison Shelter Medicine Program continues to work with ACC Manhattan shelter to manage the illness.

###
#104-16
MEDIA CONTACT: Christopher Miller/Julien Martinez, (347) 396-4177
pressoffice@health.nyc.gov

http://www1.nyc.gov/site/doh/about/p.../pr104-16.page

[Pathfinder]

UW identifies flu strain affecting NYC shelter cats as H7N2 influenza

December 16, 2016 By Nik Hawkins For news media


The Wisconsin Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory at the University of Wisconsin–Madison has identified the influenza A strain involved in an outbreak among cats in a New York City animal shelter as low pathogenic avian influenza H7N2, a rare subtype that has not been found previously in domestic felines.

The Shelter Medicine Program at the UW–Madison School of Veterinary Medicine is working closely with New York City’s Manhattan Animal Care Center (ACC–Manhattan) and the New York City Health Department to manage the situation, which includes establishing a quarantine facility while the Manhattan center is disinfected.

Cats that have contracted the H7N2 strain in the shelter have displayed upper respiratory symptoms such as runny nose, congestion, persistent cough and lip smacking, but the illness has not been severe. One cat was euthanized after developing pneumonia. No other species of animals from the shelter, including dogs, have tested positive for the virus.

“While we are concerned about this new infection, the cats are experiencing only mild to moderate illness, but a few have developed pneumonia,” says Sandra Newbury, clinical assistant professor at the veterinary school and director of the UW Shelter Medicine Program. “Many of the cats who were initially ill are already recovering. We do want people to be aware of what is happening, but influenza infection is unlikely in cats that have not had contact with cats from New York City’s Manhattan Animal Care Center.”

The first cases of influenza at the shelter were reported in late November when a private company, IDEXX Reference Laboratories, tested sick cats housed at ACC–Manhattan. The shelter then approached the UW Shelter Medicine Program and WVDL for more assistance since both helped manage outbreaks of a different strain of influenza that affected dogs and cats in the Midwest earlier this year and in 2015.

Further testing at WVDL found additional positive samples and led to identification of the H7N2 strain, a finding that has been verified by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Veterinary Services Laboratories. The California Animal Health and Food Safety Laboratory at the University of California, Davis also confirmed the presence of H7N2 influenza virus after IDEXX provided samples to that lab for testing.

This is the first time H7N2 has been detected and transmitted among domestic cats,” says Kathy Toohey-Kurth, clinical professor and head of the WVDL’s virology section.

everal cases of H7N2 were found in commercial poultry in the United States between 2000 and 2006, and it may be able to spread to other animals. There have been only two cases of H7N2 found in humans, and both cases ended with full recovery. The virus is thought to pose low risk to people. No human infections related to this case have been identified to date.

While influenza infection is unlikely in cats that have not had contact with infected felines from the shelter, owners whose animals show signs of influenza should contact their veterinarian for instructions. Cats suspected to be infected with the virus should be housed separately from other animals and precautions should be taken to prevent spread of the virus on hands and clothing.

“We’ll continue to work with the shelter to help manage the case and offer testing to any cats in rescue groups that are affected,” says Newbury. “We are hoping that offering this kind of diagnostic support will help rescue groups identify if they have cats with the virus so they can isolate them in order to stop the spread.”

Diagnostic testing conducted by the WVDL for animals that have come from the New York City shelter since Nov. 12 will be paid for by a generous gift from Maddie’s Fund, a family foundation that seeks to “revolutionize the status and well-being of companion animals.”

Shelters and rescue groups may contact the UW Shelter Medicine Program at uwsheltermedicine@vetmed.wisc.edu with testing inquiries or questions regarding influenza in cats and dogs, and can look for updates at www.uwsheltermedicine.com. More details about the program’s partnership to provide diagnostic testing for shelters can be found on its diagnostic testing webpage.

http://news.wisc.edu/uw-identifies-f...7n2-influenza/

[gsgs]

a cat caught a (sick) bird with H7N2 in NY ? --> likely a small bird, hatched duck ? , but in a shelter

--------edit------------

This particular strain of H7N2 had not been since 2006, Glaser said. It had been seen in
live bird markets in New York. It's possible wild birds picked it up and kept it circulating
since then, she said.

[so, there are live bird markets in NY ? ]


--------edit------------
but it has not been seen since 2006 and flu doesn't usually survive in the environment
for ~10 years. Nor does it go from poultry to wild birds (except maybe in China) and continue
to circulate there.
In poultry it accumulates amino-acid mutations, in wild birds it won't.
So, the sequences should show it ...

Where had it been since 2006 ? Is there some living reservoir where it survived ?

http://magictour.free.fr/77us.GIF

[Pathfinder]

Rare bird flu strain is spreading among cats, raising red flags for humans also

POSTED 9:19 PM, DECEMBER 19, 2016, BY JAMES FORD
...
"Any time a flu strain jumps from one type of animal, a bird to another, a mammal," said Deputy Health Commissioner Jay Varma, M.D. "We get concerned about its potential threat to the health of humans."
...
This particular strain of influenza, called H7N2, has been fatal when transmitted to humans in two known cases, one from 2002 and the other from 2003. However, Varma said, "those infections were not related to cats."
...
The situation at the ACC has led the city to issue an alert to all shelters citywide, as well as to veterinary offices and other animal care centers. PIX11 News has also learned that animal care providers in Connecticut and Pennsylvania who have in the past received animals that have come from the ACC have been alerted to the potential problem.
...

http://pix11.com/2016/12/19/rare-bird-flu-strain-is-spreading-among-cats-raising-red-flags-for-humans-also/

[alert]

Huh? The above article states:

This particular strain of influenza, called H7N2, has been fatal when transmitted to humans in two known cases, one from 2002 and the other from 2003. However, Varma said, "those infections were not related to cats."

Two fatal human H7N2 infections from 2002 and 2003? Where? There was a fatal human H7N7 infection in the Netherlands in 2003, but I'm not aware of anything even close to what this article states, anywhere in the world.

[alert]

Huh? The above article states:

This particular strain of influenza, called H7N2, has been fatal when transmitted to humans in two known cases, one from 2002 and the other from 2003. However, Varma said, "those infections were not related to cats."

Two fatal human H7N2 infections from 2002 and 2003? Where? There was a fatal human H7N7 infection in the Netherlands in 2003, but I'm not aware of anything even close to what this article states, anywhere in the world.

I actually found this report of a human H7N2 infection from New York from 2003, but it was not a fatal one. The patient recovered:

https://flutrackers.com/forum/forum/welcome-to-the-scientific-library/surveillance-and-epidemic-control/129540-eid-low-pathogenic-avian-influenza-a-h7n2-virus-infection-in-immunocompromised-adult-new-york-usa-2003

[Shiloh]

Source: http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2017/01/...ine-avian-flu/


Hundreds Of Cats Quarantined In Queens Due To Avian Flu Virus
January 12, 2017 11:20 AM

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) – Hundreds of cats in New York City have been taken to a temporary quarantine shelter in Queens due to exposure to the avian flu virus.

More than 450 cats are expected to be quarantined for up to 90 days.

Officials say the cats were exposed to the H7N2 virus. Risk of transmission from cats to humans is low, according to the Health Department. There have been no cases of human-to-human transmission...

****************

Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2017/01/12/n...spca.html?_r=0

Hazmat Suits and 500 Shelter Cats: Rare Flu Forces New York Quarantine
By ANDY NEWMAN JAN. 12, 2017

In an industrial corner of Queens on Monday, on the second floor of a cavernous warehouse, in a gated-off area known as Pod C, a worker in a hazmat suit, goggles and a respirator mask sat on the floor of a metal cell.

She held a colored string with a ball dangling from it. With the other hand, she petted a cat. ?Psswsswss,? the woman said through the mask. The cat arched its back against her latex-gloved hand.

All around her, other workers in hazmat suits attended to other cats, playing, feeding them, changing their litter. A bigger room downstairs held hundreds more, many of whom had the sniffles...

[Pathfinder]

Animal Care Centers of NYC’s Cats Quarantined for H7N2 Virus Receive Care, Monitoring at ASPCA Temporary Shelter

National, local agencies take part in massive operation to care for
hundreds of cats exposed to H7N2 virus

Animal Care Centers to resume operations within two weeks

New York, N.Y.—In coordination with the New York City Health Department (DOHMH) and Animal Care Centers of NYC (ACC), the ASPCA? (American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals?) – with funding provided by Maddie’s Fund? – has established a temporary quarantine shelter in Queens to care for hundreds of cats exposed to the avian flu virus, H7N2. Last week, more than 450 cats from ACC shelters in Manhattan, Brooklyn and Staten Island were transported to the temporary shelter by ACC and the Mayor’s Alliance for NYC’s Animals. The cats will be quarantined at the facility until ongoing lab tests, conducted by the Shelter Medicine Program at the University of Wisconsin School of Veterinary Medicine, show they are healthy and no longer contagious—likely 45 to 90 days.

ASPCA responders as well as volunteers from other agencies are providing ongoing daily care while veterinary experts closely monitor the cats during the quarantine period. While some of the cats are showing mild flu-like symptoms such as sneezing or runny nose, others are doing well and settling in at the temporary shelter.

“I thank our partners at the ASPCA, ACC, Mayor’s Alliance, and Maddie’s Fund for their unwavering commitment to providing the best care for these cats. This unprecedented effort was made possible by their support. We continue to urge New Yorkers who have adopted cats from ACC shelters to be on alert for symptoms in their pets and take proper precautions,” said Health
Commissioner Dr. Mary T. Bassett.

H7N2 is a type of avian influenza virus (bird flu) that sometimes mutates, and transfers to mammals, such as cats. The Health Department reports that most infected cats have experienced only mild illness, and no other animal species at ACC have tested positive for H7N2.

The Health Department investigation of the H7N2 virus confirmed that the risk to humans is low. There has been only one cat-to-human transmission associated with this outbreak; there have been no cases of human-to-human transmission. Under the Health Department’s guidance, the ASPCA has implemented strict protocols to ensure the safety of the responders and cats.

These include decontamination training and personal protective equipment for all individuals in direct contact with cats from this population.

“The ASPCA rapid response team has been nothing short of incredible,” said ACC President & CEO Risa Weinstock. “Within hours they were coordinating groups from across the nation to work with our staff to ensure the best care is provided to those cats in quarantine.”

“Responders from the ASPCA, ACC and other agencies are working around the clock to safely monitor and care for these cats,” added ASPCA President & CEO Matt Bershadker. “Once the cats are healthy and no longer contagious, we’ll do everything we can to help them find homes.”

ACC has hired a professional cleaning company to service all facilities and they will resume cat adoptions once the cleaning process is complete.

New Yorkers who adopted a cat from an ACC shelter between November 12 and December 15 should continue to monitor their cats for flu-like symptoms, including sneezing, coughing, runny nose and runny or red eyes. If such symptoms are present, these owners should take their cats to a veterinarian and inform them that the cat may have been exposed to H7N2. This will allow the veterinarians to make arrangements to prevent exposure to other cats in the clinic.

The sheltering and quarantine operation has been made possible by the generous funding from the ASPCA and Maddie’s Fund, a family foundation established by Dave and Cheryl Duffield to revolutionize the status and well-being of companion animals. Maddie’s Fund has also committed to providing grant support to defray veterinary costs incurred by eligible rescue groups that received cats from ACC and treated them for symptoms associated with the virus, medical care to the ACC cats that are in quarantine, testing and retesting of all affected cats, travel expenses for the shelter medicine intern teams as well as thorough cleaning of three ACC shelters.

“This has been an amazing collaboration,” said Dr. Laurie Peek from Maddie’s Fund Executive Leadership Team. “I have been impressed with the ACC’s efforts to save these cats. Multiple agencies have pulled together to respond quickly and effectively to this outbreak, setting a new precedent on dealing with outbreaks in shelters. This type of collaboration – that puts animals and community welfare first – represents the best of the animal welfare movement. We are immensely proud to work with the ASPCA, ACC, University of Wisconsin’s Shelter Medicine program and all the partners on this response.”

Agencies assisting with veterinary and daily care at the shelter include: ACC; Cat Depot (Sarasota, Fla.); Coastal Humane Society (Brunswick, Maine); Florida State Animal Response Coalition (Bushnell, Fla.); Humane SocietyforGreater Savannah (Ga.); Longmont Humane Society (Longmont, Colo.); Mayor’s Alliance for NYC Animals; San Diego Humane Society (Calif.); Shelter Medicine Program at the University of Wisconsin School of Veterinary Medicine (Madison, Wis.); The Animal Support Project (Cropseyville, N.Y.); Washington State Animal Response Team (Enumclaw, Wash.); and Wayside Waifs (Kansas City, Mo.).
ASPCA Photos & Video (Credit/ASPCA):
Photos - https://aspca.widencollective.com/da...d-70ee1d9e99a4
B-roll – https://aspca.widencollective.com/da...7-5f556fd47350
Media contacts:
ACC—Katy Hansen, khansen@nycacc.org, 646-847-4653
ASPCA—Kelly Krause, kelly.krause@aspca.org, 646-784-2098
Emily Schneider, emily.schneider@aspca.org, 646-291-4575
Health Department—Julien Martinez, 347-396-4177, pressoffice@health.nyc.gov
About the ASPCA?

Founded in 1866, the ASPCA? (American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals?) is the first animal welfare organization in North America and serves as the nation’s leading voice for animals. More than two million supporters strong, the ASPCA’s mission is to provide effective means for the prevention of cruelty to animals throughout the United States. As a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit corporation, the ASPCA is a national leader in the areas of anti-cruelty, community outreach and animal health services. For more information, please visit www.ASPCA.org, and be sure to follow the ASPCA on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
About Animal Care Centers of NYC

Animal Care Centers of NYC (ACC) is one of the largest animal welfare organizations in the country, taking in nearly 35,000 animals each year. ACC is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that rescues, cares for and finds loving homes for animals throughout the five boroughs. ACC is an open-admissions organization, which means it never turns away any homeless, abandoned, injured or sick animal in need of help, including cats, dogs, rabbits, small mammals, reptiles, birds, farm animals and wildlife. It is the only organization in NYC with this unique responsibility. For more information, please visit www.nycacc.org, and be sure to follow NYCACC on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
About the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene

With an annual budget of $1.6 billion and more than 6,000 employees throughout the five boroughs, we're one of the largest public health agencies in the world, serving 8 million New Yorkers from diverse ethnic, cultural and economic backgrounds. With over 200 years of leadership in the field, we're also one of our nation's oldest public health agencies. Our work is broad ranging. You see us in the inspection grades of most every dining establishment, the licenses that dogs both great and small wear in open park spaces, the low to no-cost health clinics in your neighborhoods, and the birth certificates received for newborns. The challenges we face are many. They range from obesity, diabetes and heart disease to HIV/AIDS, tobacco addiction and substance abuse, and the threat of bioterrorism. The New York City Health Department is tackling these issues with innovative policies and programs, and getting exceptional results. www.nyc.gov/health
About Maddie’s Fund

Maddie's Fund? is a family foundation created in 1994 by Workday? co-founder Dave Duffield and his wife, Cheryl, who have endowed the Foundation with more than $300 million. Since then, the Foundation has awarded more than $187.8 million in grants toward increased community lifesaving, shelter medicine education, and pet adoptions across the U.S. The Duffields named Maddie's Fund after their Miniature Schnauzer Maddie, who always made them laugh and gave them much joy. Maddie was with Dave and Cheryl from 1987 - 1997 and continues to inspire them today. Maddie's Fund is the fulfillment of a promise to an inspirational dog, investing its resources to create a no-kill nation where every dog and cat is guaranteed a healthy home or habitat. #ThanksToMaddie.
About the Mayor’s Alliance for NYC’s Animals

The Mayor’s Alliance for NYC’s Animals? is a 501(c)(3) non-profit charity that works with more than 150 partner rescue groups and shelters to offer important programs and services that save the lives of NYC’s homeless animals. We are supported entirely by donations from foundations, corporations, and individuals and receive no government funding. Since our founding in 2003, we have remained committed to transforming New York City into a community where no dogs or cats of reasonable health and temperament will be killed merely because they do not have homes. www.AnimalAllianceNYC.org
About the Shelter Medicine Program at the University of Wisconsin School of Veterinary Medicine

The University of Wisconsin-Madison Shelter Medicine Program is committed to saving animal lives while improving animal health and well-being in shelters through shelter outreach and support, education and training, and the development of knowledge in the field.

http://www1.nyc.gov/site/doh/about/p...c-cat-flu.page

[gsgs]

A/feline/New York/16-040082-1/2016(H7N2)) , 2016/12/06

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/nuccore/KY888121

closest to 2000/2001 NY-poultry, only ~20 mutations per year since then
also mutating away from the bird-index

I had been speculating that the NY-cats got their H7N2-flu from muskrats.
One muskrat-flu-sequence is at genbank, from Russia.
Cats in NY may be hunting muskrats.
Muskrats might have caught it from poultry in 2001 and it circulates in muskrats
since then. Only 20 mutations per year.

Muskrats as the source of the slow flu evolution in China ?
remember my thread :
https://flutrackers.com/forum/forum/...rds#post599684

Muskrats as the source of the mysterious 17G - virus [A/duck/LA/17G/1987(H3N8)]--> ducks (Mississippi,Louisiana,California)
Also close to the 1918-virus in segment 2

They might catch it from water through mallards or mallard eggs.