Avian influenza H5N1 in tigers and leopards.

Juthatip Keawcharoen1 Kanisak Oraveerakul Thijs Kuiken Ron A M Fouchier Alongkorn Amonsin Sunchai Payungporn Suwanna Noppornpanth Sumitra Wattanodorn Apiradee Theambooniers Rachod Tantilertcharoen Rattapan Pattanarangsan Nlin Arya Parntep Ratanakorn D M E Osterhaus Yong Poovorawan
Affiliations 1 institutions
  1. Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand.
Active Last checked 2026-10-09 03:30:36 Source: NCBI PubMed

Abstract

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.

Supporting text Virus Host Location
Influenza A Virus, H5N1 Subtype 308 Animals 1981 Animals, Zoo 18 Chickens 149 Food Microbiology 2 Genetic Variation 131 Influenza A virus 191 Lung 65 Meat 6 Orthomyxoviridae Infections 235 Panthera 5 Phylogeny 826 Tigers 8

Evidence records

2 total
Zoonotic Surveillance
1 records · 1 evidence types
Evidence type
1 records
OVE199
Key finding

Avian influenza A (H5N1) virus was detected in tigers and leopards that developed severe pneumonia after feeding on infected poultry carcasses.

Virus
Host
Location
Not specified
Supporting text

Avian influenza A (H5N1) virus caused severe pneumonia in tigers and leopards that fed on infected poultry carcasses.

Method
viral genome detection | pathologic examination
Sample type
lung tissue | poultry carcass exposure (feeding event)
Transmission Evidence
1 records · 1 evidence types
Evidence type
1 records
OVE200
Key finding

Avian influenza A (H5N1) virus was transmitted from infected poultry to wild felids (tigers and leopards) through consumption of carcasses.

Virus
Host
Location
Not specified
Supporting text

We demonstrate that avian influenza A (H5N1) virus caused severe pneumonia in tigers and leopards that fed on infected poultry carcasses.

Method
pathology | virological detection
Study design
observational field and pathological investigation
Transmission direction
animal-to-animal