Asian Strain of Flu Never Before Seen in the U.S. Sickens 1,300 Dogs

More than 1,300 dogs have been sickened by an Asian strain of canine flu being seen for the first time in the United States, and the virus has now spread from the Chicago area to Wisconsin, Indiana and Ohio.

Known as Influenza A H3N2, this virus is usually found in South Korea, China and other Asian nations. Six dogs are known to have died in the Chicago area from the infection. Cats can also catch this strain of flu. While highly infectious, people cannot contract this flu from their pets.

The symptoms include high fever, loss of appetite, coughing, nasal discharge and lethargy. Veterinarians say this viral strain is stronger than previous flu strains, which means animals will get sick quickly. Avoid nose-to-nose touching among dogs.

Veterinary researchers at Cornell University identified the strain infecting the region’s dogs.

“How it got there, I can’t tell you,” Dr. Amy Glaser, a senior research associate with the veterinary lab at Cornell, told the Chicago Tribune. “This caught us a little by surprise, and we didn’t expect to find this virus in the United States. It was discovered through a labor-intensive process that we don’t normally use.”

The Cornell findings were confirmed by the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Dog owners are urged to keep their dogs from socializing, including within dog parks, kennels, doggie daycares and training facilities.

Dr. Donna Alexander, administrator of Cook County Animal and Rabies Control, “strongly recommends” that pet owners not use dog-friendly areas until the epidemic is contained.

Alexander this week recommended that all dog-friendly areas post signage stating that Cook County and surrounding areas are experiencing a canine flu epidemic. A dog park in Evergreen Park already shut down temporarily last week as word of the flu spread.

Dog owners who continue to bring their pets to dog parks and the like enter at their own risk, she said.

Core vaccinations traditionally given to dogs are not protective against the canine influenza virus that is now circulating. Alexander recommends inoculating dogs with the canine flu vaccine, regardless, though it won’t protect against this particular strain.

The infection is treatable, however. Older dogs with compromised immune systems or other ailments are the most susceptible.

Even though people cannot contract this flu from their dogs, veterinarians say people can transmit the virus from one dog to another if they’ve touched an infected pet. Wash your hands and change your clothes if you work with or are exposed to sick dogs.