How easy is it for our pet birds to get the H1N1 Virus?
http://www.merckvetmanual.com/mvm/index.jsp?cfile=htm/bc/121407.htm&word=H1N1
The AVMA answers this question (The American Veterinary Medical Association)
http://www.avma.org/public_health/influenza/new_virus/
According to Dr. Ellen K Cook DVM, "The 2009 H1N1 influenza virus had been found in humans, pigs, birds and ferrets. The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) reminding pet owners that some viruses can pass between people and animals, so this was not an altogether unexpected event. Pet owners should monitor their pets' health very closely, no matter what type of animal, and visit a veterinarian if there are any signs of illness."
The AVMA is interested in hearing from you in regards to this new H1N1 virus, for more information, contact Michael San Filippo, AVMA media relations assistant, at 847-285-6687 (office), 847-732-6194 (cell), or msanfilippo@avma.org
Personal note: I have been studying this virus and its transformations for the last year and have found a number of ferrets to have contracted the disease but very little about caged birds. All that I can say is that if I own a ferret keep them away from birds at this point. The disease seems to be highly transferable to rodents and all major reports have been around ferrets and cats. I'll continue to follow this outbreak and provide information in this thread as it develops.
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