Sea otters in the waters off Washington state were infected by H1N1 influenza, the same pathogen that caused the 2009 pandemic among humans, according to a study by U.S. Geological Survey and CDC scientists. Antibodies to H1N1 were detected in 70% of sea otters sampled. The animals tested live in a remote area and rarely have contact with humans. “Our new study identifies sea otters as another marine mammal species that is susceptible to influenza viruses and highlights the complex interspecies transmission of flu viruses in the marine environment,” said USGS researcher LeAnn White. PhysOrg.com (4/8)
I don’t think this is so far fetched. Other members of the mustelid family (domestic ferrets) are susceptible to human influenzas.
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