TY - JOUR
T1 - Characterization of a feline influenza A(H7N2) virus
AU - Hatta, Masato
AU - Zhong, Gongxun
AU - Gao, Yuwei
AU - Nakajima, Noriko
AU - Fan, Shufang
AU - Chiba, Shiho
AU - Deering, Kathleen M.
AU - Ito, Mutsumi
AU - Imai, Masaki
AU - Kiso, Maki
AU - Nakatsu, Sumiho
AU - Lopes, Tiago J.
AU - Thompson, Andrew J.
AU - McBride, Ryan
AU - Suarez, David L.
AU - Macken, Catherine A.
AU - Sugita, Shigeo
AU - Neumann, Gabriele
AU - Hasegawa, Hideki
AU - Paulson, James C.
AU - Kurth, Kathy L.
AU - Kawaoka, Yoshihiro
PY - 2018/1/1
Y1 - 2018/1/1
N2 - During December 2016-February 2017, influenza A viruses of the H7N2 subtype infected ≈500 cats in animal shelters in New York, NY, USA, indicating virus transmission among cats. A veterinarian who treated the animals also became infected with feline influenza A(H7N2) virus and experienced respiratory symptoms. To understand the pathogenicity and transmissibility of these feline H7N2 viruses in mammals, we characterized them in vitro and in vivo. Feline H7N2 subtype viruses replicated in the respiratory organs of mice, ferrets, and cats without causing severe lesions. Direct contact transmission of feline H7N2 subtype viruses was detected in ferrets and cats; in cats, exposed animals were also infected via respiratory droplet transmission. These results suggest that the feline H7N2 subtype viruses could spread among cats and also infect humans. Outbreaks of the feline H7N2 viruses could, therefore, pose a risk to public health.
AB - During December 2016-February 2017, influenza A viruses of the H7N2 subtype infected ≈500 cats in animal shelters in New York, NY, USA, indicating virus transmission among cats. A veterinarian who treated the animals also became infected with feline influenza A(H7N2) virus and experienced respiratory symptoms. To understand the pathogenicity and transmissibility of these feline H7N2 viruses in mammals, we characterized them in vitro and in vivo. Feline H7N2 subtype viruses replicated in the respiratory organs of mice, ferrets, and cats without causing severe lesions. Direct contact transmission of feline H7N2 subtype viruses was detected in ferrets and cats; in cats, exposed animals were also infected via respiratory droplet transmission. These results suggest that the feline H7N2 subtype viruses could spread among cats and also infect humans. Outbreaks of the feline H7N2 viruses could, therefore, pose a risk to public health.
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U2 - 10.3201/eid2401.171240
DO - 10.3201/eid2401.171240
M3 - Article
C2 - 29260686
AN - SCOPUS:85038867478
VL - 24
SP - 75
EP - 86
JO - Emerging Infectious Diseases
JF - Emerging Infectious Diseases
SN - 1080-6040
IS - 1
ER -