Characterization of a Feline Influenza A(H7N2) Virus

• Published in: Emerging infectious diseases Vol. 24; no. 1; pp. 75 - 86
• Main Authors: Hatta, Masato, Zhong, Gongxun, Gao, Yuwei, Nakajima, Noriko, Fan, Shufang, Chiba, Shiho, Deering, Kathleen M, Ito, Mutsumi, Imai, Masaki, Kiso, Maki, Nakatsu, Sumiho, Lopes, Tiago J, Thompson, Andrew J, McBride, Ryan, Suarez, David L, Macken, Catherine A, Sugita, Shigeo, Neumann, Gabriele, Hasegawa, Hideki, Paulson, James C, Toohey-Kurth, Kathy L, Kawaoka, Yoshihiro
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States U.S. National Center for Infectious Diseases 01.01.2018; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• Subjects: Cat diseases; Disease transmission; feline; H7N2; influenza; influenza virus; Influenza viruses; Virus replication; viruses; zoonotic infection; United States; influenza; New York; H7N2; viruses; feline; United States; influenza virus; zoonoses; zoonotic infection; respiratory infections
• ISSN: 1080-6040; 1080-6059
• DOI: 10.3201/eid2401.171240

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.