31.03.2011

A new research by japanese researchers found HPAI infection in Raccoons. Raccoons (Procyon lotor) are susceptible to influenza viruses, but highly pathogenic avian influenza virus (H5N1) infection in these animals has not been reported. The researchers performed a serosurvey of apparently healthy feral raccoons in Japan and found specific antibodies to subtype H5N1 viruses. Because wild raccoons are omnivores and highly opportunistic at exploiting foods they prefer, whenever available they could eat diseased or dead migratory birds from areas where subtype H5N1 viruses are enzootic. They also sometimes attack poultry farms for food, creating the potential to transmit virus to domestic poultry. In addition, the increasing likelihood for contact between wild raccoons and humans elevates the possibility of human infection with these viruses, posing risks to public health and increasing the possibility of the emergence of mammalian adapted mutant viruses with pandemic potential (Emerging Infectious Diseases 17:714-717, 2011).