Although we are concerned about and know that we can catch the flu from other people and our kids, did you know that you can also pass the flu onto your pet? Known as “reverse zoonosis” researchers believe people have passed the H1N1 flu virus to cats and other animals and in some cases the animals have died.
The first recorded case of human-to-pet transmission of the H1N1 flu virus occurred in 2009 when a pet owner came down with the flu and while in the hospital, her cat died of pneumonia caused by the same virus.
The main concern is that when the virus moves to a new species, a mutation could occur causing the virus to take on a more dangerous form.
Take all precautions: when you start developing flu-like symptoms, stay away from your pets.
(Read in timesunion.com by Dana Guthrie)