New Delhi: Health experts in China are urging people not to panic after recent cases of two dogs infected with the deadly H1N1 virus emerged.
Feng Zijian, director of emergency response for the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, said while it was possible for pets to transfer viruses to their owners there was no evidence to suggest pets were already spreading the illness, reports the China Daily.
Feng said: "If animals can get infected from humans, then the reverse is also true. But there is no need to panic in this case."
Feng added: "Only when the virus mutates within dogs will it be a new threat to humans.”
The animals were diagnosed in Beijing and the virus discovered was said to be a 99-percent match for the flu currently infecting humans, according to the Ministry of Agriculture.
Feng said: "The role of dogs in the virus`` mutation is still unknown. However, pigs provide a better environment for virus mutation.”
ANI