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 epidemiology and wildlife conservation.
Influenza A Virus, H5N1 SubtypeAnimalsAnimals, ZooChickensFood MicrobiologyGenetic VariationInfluenza A virusLungMeatOrthomyxoviridae InfectionsPantheraPhylogenyTigers
Structured evidence records
Evidence records
6 total
Cross Species Transmission2 records
Cross Species TransmissionExtraction confidence 0.90
Key finding
Avian influenza A (H5N1) virus transmitted from infected poultry to tigers.
We demonstrate that avian influenza A (H5N1) virus caused severe pneumonia in tigers and leopards that fed on infected poultry carcasses.
Transmission direction
animal-to-animal
Host Range Experiment2 records
Host Range ExperimentExtraction confidence 0.80
Key finding
Avian influenza A (H5N1) from infected poultry caused severe pneumonia in tigers and leopards, showing susceptibility and expanding the known host range of the virus.
We demonstrate that avian influenza A (H5N1) virus caused severe pneumonia in tigers and leopards that fed on infected poultry carcasses.
Method
experimental infection
Sample type
lung
Experimental system
in vivo animal experiment
Host Range ExperimentExtraction confidence 0.80
Key finding
Avian influenza A (H5N1) from infected poultry caused severe pneumonia in leopards, indicating cross-species infection and extending the known host range.
Influenza virus types and subtypes detection by single step single tube multiplex reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and agarose gel electrophoresis
Experimental infection of animals with influenza virus types A and B
Paniker
1972
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Avian influenza A(H5N1)—update 28: reports of infection in domestic cats (Thailand), situation (human) in Thailand, situation (poultry) in Japan and China
