Cheetah comes down with swine flu

Gijima, an eight-year-old female cheetah from the Safari West preserve in Santa Rosa, California, was diagnosed with the N1H1 virus after she developed symptoms of illness on November 15th. They decided to run the test because several domestic animals, cats among them, had caught the virus from humans. There is no confirmation that the disease passes from pets to their owners.

Gijima became the first exotic animal found to carry the swine flu virus. It remains unclear how she got infected — the fence keeps visitors well back from the animals, and the staff constantly disinfect and treat their clothing, equipment and feeders. A representative of the zoo association once again asked people who work with animals to stay home if they are not feeling well.

The preserve's staff reacted quickly and began treatment with antibiotics even before the test results came back, providing the animal with a warm bed, suitable food and water. Gijima — whose name means "run fast" in Zulu — has already fully recovered and on Wednesday morning was spotted stepping out into the fresh air for a short while.

Safari West is home to just four cheetahs out of 700 different animals. Gijima was once famous for playing football with her trainers.