According to a study published in Emerging Infectious Diseases, before the dog died two years ago, it developed a massive infection with the virus present in its kidneys, lungs and liver. The disease first appeared in the canine five days after it had eaten infected ducks in the Thai province of Suphanburi.

The researchers expressed concern that this case of a fatal infection in yet another mammal underscores the small, but real risk of pet to human transmission. "Despite the low probability of H5N1 infection in domestic animals, the possibility of humans acquiring H5N1 infection from direct contact with infected cats and dogs warrants concern and highlights the need for monitoring domestic animals during H5N1 outbreaks in the future," according to authors Thaweesak Songserm (Kasetsart University) and Alongkorn Amonsin (Chulalongkorn University).

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