DuPage County Animal Control Vaccinating Against Canine Influenza

DuPage County Animal Care & Control has begun vaccinating animals against canine influenza as a precaution against the quickly spreading upper respiratory infection.

The new vaccination protocol is part of a proactive response based on a review of Chicago Animal Care & Control sanitation policies, according to DuPage County.

Five dogs in Chicago died between January and March from complications of canine flu, according to the Chicago Tribune, and more than more than 1,000 cases of the illness have been recently diagnosed.

DuPage County Animal Care & Control has not yet diagnosed any confirmed cases of canine influenza.

The canine influenza virus, also known as dog flu, is an airborne pathogen that spreads to dogs that come in direct contact with contaminated dogs or contaminated objects. Humans cannot catch canine influenza from a dog.

Symptoms of canine influenza include cough, runny nose and fever.

For more information about Canine Influenza, including recognizing symptoms, treatment and prevention, visit:

• American Veterinary Medical Association website
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website

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