· A wide variety of other pets including birds are also seen regularly by Banfield veterinarians
· Pet birds (avian species) can be used to conduct surveillance for avian influenza virus by testing throat swabs, especially from birds with signs of respiratory disease. This may yield valuable information about the circulation of of A5N1 influenza virus in the U.S. since pet birds may be imported from areas where A5N1 is endemic
· In the U.S. pet birds and cats are more likely to transmit A5N1 influenza infection to humans than are poultry, since unlike the situation in developing countries, homes in the U.S. are more likely to contain pet cats and dogs than they are poultry, and many pets sleep in bed with their owners.