What does current experimental evidence tell us about the susceptibility of different animals to pandemic H1N1 2009?
A limited number of preliminary experiments have provided useful information about infection in pigs. Pigs experimentally infected with pandemic H1N1 2009 (originally isolated from human cases) develop a mild respiratory illness that quickly resolves. The illness is very similar to the disease pigs experience when they have swine influenza caused by other strains of influenza. Sick pigs infected with pandemic H1N1 2009 are able to infect other pigs. These experimental findings were supported by infections later seen on pig farms in multiple countries. Based on experimental evidence and experiences on the farm, we expect the disease in pigs caused by this strain to continue to be very similar to swine influenza.
