(Manhattan, KS) -- Pet owners who suffer from the H1N1 virus can pass the disease along to their pets.

That's the finding of researchers at Kansas State University's Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory.

Dick Hesse, a flu expert and director of virology at the lab says "a small number of companion animal H1N1 flu cases have been confirmed in the U.S.

He says cats and ferrets are at highest risk.

While person to pet transfer is possible, Hesse says there's no evidence of pets passing the virus to people at this time.

Ken Harkin, an associate professor of small animal internal medicine at the university says pet owners shouldn't be overly concerned but "if pet owners are infected with H1N1 they should notify their veterinarian immediately if the pet becomes ill.

Information about how the strain impacts animals is very limited.

　

(Copyright 2009 by VERTEXNews/Newsroom Solutions)