Avian influenza H5N1 in tigers and leopards.(Dispatches) From: Emerging Infectious Diseases | Date: December 1, 2004| Author: Amonsin, Alongkorn; Arya, Nlin; Fouchier, Ron A.M.; Keawcharoen, Juthatip; Kuiken, Thijs; Noppornpanth, Suwanna; Oraveerakul, Kanisak; Osterhaus, Albert D.M.E.; Pattanarangsan, Rattapan; Payungporn, Sunchai; Poovorawan, Yong; Ratanakorn, Parntep; Tantilertcharoen, Rachod; Theamboonlers, Apiradee; Wattanodorn, Sumitra | COPYRIGHT 2004 U.S. National Center for Infectious Diseases. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan.  All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group.Copyright information

Influenza virus is not known to affect wild felids. We demonstrate that avian influenza A (H5N1) virus caused severe pneumonia in tigers and leopards that fed on infected poultry carcasses. This finding extends the host range of influenza virus and has implications for influenza virus and wildlife conservation.

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The Study

The 2003-2004 avian influenza A (H5N1) virus outbreak in Southeast Asia resulted in 24 reports of fatal human cases (M...