Another Flu Virus Crosses the Species Border

Since 1996, when avian influenza A (AIA) virus was first shown to infect humans, its spread to other mammals (including cattle and cats) has provoked growing concern about interspecies dissemination of these viruses.

Now, CDC researchers report feline infections with influenza D virus (IDV) in China. This virus, which most commonly infects cattle, has also infected dogs. The infection in cats reported here was documented by antibody testing and had a prevalence of 2%, with most cases occurring in domestic rather than feral cats.