In October 2009, a ferret exhibiting flu symptoms was confirmed to have contracted the H1N1 virus from its owner in Oregon, USA.[48] In November 2009, a case of novel H1N1 was confirmed in a household cat.[49][50][51] Although the earliest cat fatality from the H1N1 virus in the U.S. occurred in Pennsylvania,[52] the Oregon Veterinary Medical Association was the first to confirm a cat fatality in the U.S. The association recommends that cat owners with flu symptoms avoid touching cat's eyes, nose, and mouth while sick. Thoroughly wash your hands after handling a sick pet since it may be possible for cats to transmit the virus to humans. This is the third confirmed case of H1N1 in a cat in the U.S.; other cases have occurred in Utah and Iowa.[53] The first case of a dog with H1N1 was reported in December 2009.[54] On July 22, 2011 the Norwegian Veterinary Institute reported the first occurrence of 2009-H1N1 influenza virus in minks.[55]