About Influenza A in Animals

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At a glance

  • Most influenza A viruses circulate naturally in wild birds; however, these viruses can also adapt to spread in people and other animals.
  • These animals include, but are not limited to ducks, chickens, pigs, whales, horses, seals, cats, dogs, and cows.
A picture of ducks and a turkey on a farm

Overview

Influenza A viruses are divided into subtypes based on two proteins on the surface of the virus: the hemagglutinin (HA) and the neuraminidase (NA). There are 18 different hemagglutinin subtypes and 11 different neuraminidase subtypes that have been recognized to date.

Many different animals can carry or be infected with influenza A viruses. All known HA subtypes except H17 and H18 and all known NA subtypes except N10 and N11 have been found in birds. Subtypes H17N10 and H18N11 have only been found in bats.

It is uncommon for people to get influenza virus infections directly from animals. However, sporadic human infections and outbreaks caused by certain avian and swine (variant) influenza A viruses have been reported.

Keep Reading Avian Influenza (Bird Flu)
Keep Reading Information on Swine / Variant Influenza

Table 1

Influenza A in people and animals by hemagglutinin subtype

Subtype People Birds Cattle Swine Cats Dogs Horses Bats Goats & Sheep Alpacas Marine Mammals Other*
H1 people chicken swine cat dog marine mammals X
H2 people chicken swine X
H3 people chicken swine cat dog horse marine mammals X
H4 chicken swine marine mammals X
H5 people chicken cow swine cat dog sheep alpaca marine mammals X
H6 people chicken swine cat dog X
H7 people chicken swine cat horse marine mammals X
H8 chicken
H9 people chicken swine dog bat
H10 people chicken swine marine mammals
H11 chicken X
H12 chicken
H13 chicken marine mammals
H14 chicken
H15 chicken
H16 chicken
H17 bat
H18 bat

*These include seals, ferrets, minks, mice, foxes, tigers, leopards, and polar bears, among others.

Table 2

Influenza A in people and animals by neuraminidase subtype

Subtype People Birds Cattle Swine Cats Dogs Horses Bats Goats & Sheep Alpacas Marine Mammals Other*
N1 people chicken cow swine cat dog sheep alpaca marine mammals X
N2 people chicken swine cat dog bat X
N3 people chicken swine marine mammals
N4 people chicken X
N5 people chicken swine cat marine mammals X
N6 people chicken swine cat dog marine mammals X
N7 people chicken swine horse marine mammals X
N8 people chicken dog horse marine mammals X
N9 people chicken X
N10 bat
N11 bat

*These include seals, ferrets, minks, mice, foxes, tigers, leopards, and polar bears, among others.

Other flu websites and resources

Zoonotic Influenza Reference Guide

Workers sitting around a desk holding a meeting with paperwork and a computer.
This resource has guidance on animal and zoonotic influenza viruses.

This Zoonotic Influenza Reference Guide provides federal, state, and local animal health and public health officials, and other organizations and academia, with an accessible, easy-to-use online resource for understanding and managing existing and emerging situations involving animal and zoonotic influenza viruses and diseases.

Generalizable One Health Framework

A mother with her small daughter feeding chickens.
A One Health approach can help prevent and control zoonotic diseases.

The Generalizable One Health Framework provides a structure for all health sectors to use the One Health approach for reducing the spread of zoonotic diseases, including influenza A viruses. The framework includes recommendations for zoonotic disease prevention and control and for enhancing One Health capacity to respond to and control zoonotic disease threats.

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