* Partner laboratory
General information
Influenza A viruses belong to the family Orthomyxoviridae and are mostly found in humans, pig, poultry and horses, but also in many others such as birds or dogs.
Horse
Equine influenza is caused by influenza A equi 2, European and American lineage. In susceptible Equidae, an infection causes fever and a rough, dry cough. In unvaccinated populations, the virus spreads quickly. Secondary bacterial infections with mucopurulent nasal discharge are frequent and mask the clinical picture, especially in partially immune populations.
Pig
Pig may not only become infected with porcine, but also with human and avian influenza viruses and thus contribute to the creation of reassortant influenza viruses. The influenza pandemics in humans in 1918/19 and in 2009 were caused by porcine influenza viruses. In swine, primary infections are usually linked to livestock transport. The infection spreads explosively in the population.
Dog
For a long time, dogs were thought to be immune to influenza as there were no infections in the dog population. After major outbreaks in the USA and South Korea, two canine influenza A subtypes have now been described: CIV H3N8 and CIV H3N2. In dogs, infections with canine influenza A viruses usually cause mild clinical signs such as coughing and sneezing or are even subclinical. Severe courses of the disease with high fever, dyspnoea and pneumonia are rare. Progression of the disease is often aggravated by secondary bacterial infections or infections with other viruses.
Ferret
Ferrets are susceptible to numerous influenza A viruses – susceptibility to human influenza A viruses is important, which is why they are often used as animal models for infection experiments. The risk of zoonosis is particularly important here! Symptoms are similar to those of humans: inappetence, apathy, fever and respiratory signs such as sneezing and nasal discharge, neurological signs have been described as well. Young animals usually have a more severe course of the disease than adult animals and here, too, secondary bacterial infections aggravate the clinical course.