Dog Flu Poses ‘Imminent Threat,’ UF Veterinarian Says

GAINESVILLE, FL — With more than a dozen confirmed cases of H3N2 canine influenza virus reported across the state and more suspected, officials at the University of Florida are urging pet owners to get their dogs vaccinated. The virus, which causes flu-like symptoms in dogs and cats has a high survival rate, but veterinarians say potentially deadly complications, such as pneumonia, may arise.

“There is an imminent threat for dogs to be exposed to this virus in the state now,” Dr. Cynda Crawford of the University of Florida’s Maddie’s Shelter Medicine Program said during a Thursday news conference. “We are now dealing with an outbreak of H3N2.”

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The H3N2 virus was first confirmed in the United States with an outbreak in Chicago in 2015, according to the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). That outbreak is “believed to have resulted from the direct transfer of an avian influenza virus – possibly from among viruses circulating in live bird markets – to dogs." Since the first reported case in March 2015, “thousands of dogs have been confirmed positive for H3N2 canine influenza across the U.S.”

Florida’s first cases were confirmed by the state Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services and UF earlier this week. UF has confirmed that Florida’s strain “is the same strain responsible for the severe outbreak of canine influenza in Chicago in 2015.”

The N3N2 virus is spread by direct contact with sick dogs and when dogs come into contact with people or an environment that has been contaminated by the virus. Symptoms associated with the virus include fevers, lethargy, coughing, sneezing and runny noses. While most dogs recover in about two weeks, “there are dogs that will develop pneumonia and will have a serious illness (that) can be life-threatening,” Crawford said Thursday.

“Fortunately, we have a vaccine for canine influenza virus, including the H3N2 strain,” Crawford added.

Florida’s outbreak has been traced to two recent dog shows. “Dogs testing positive for the H3N2 strain were either at the Perry, Georgia, dog show May 19-21 or the Deland, Florida, dog show the following weekend, or were exposed to dogs who were present at these shows,” UF spokeswoman Rossana Passaniti told Patch Wednesday.

At present, Crawford said dogs at highest risk for canine influenza in Florida are those with “special lifestyles.” That means dogs that attend shows, go to doggy daycare or are otherwise frequently out in public. Even so, H3N2 is a highly contagious virus that Crawford fears won’t stay within special populations for long.

“It is very important for veterinarians and owners to have a heightened awareness,” she said. “It may be coming to their local community, which will increase the risk.”

See also: Florida Canine Flu Cases Rise, Outbreak Traced To 2 Dog Shows

The best way to protect animals against the virus is to obtain a vaccine, Crawford said. While the vaccine isn’t a guarantee a dog won’t contract the canine flu, it can shorten its course, reduce symptom severity and will also limit the duration an animal is contagious.

People who have dogs that are sick are urged to contact their local vets before bringing them into a clinic where other pets may become exposed. Crawford also stresses the need to quarantine dogs who have tested positive for H3N2. The suggested quarantine period for dogs that have not been vaccinated is about four weeks. Pet owners are also urged to keep their critters away from dogs that show signs of sickness.

Cats, Crawford said, may also be sickened by H3N2. At present, there is no vaccine for the virus that is approved for feline use.

Crawford’s hope is that pet owners will take action to protect their canines in large numbers. Doing so, she said, could stop the virus in its tracks in Florida.

“If you can vaccinate at least 70 percent of the dogs in a community, that would provide enough immunity to stop virus transmission in the community,” she said. “It ends up protecting (the unvaccinated).”

There is no evidence that H3N2 can make people sick. Humans, however, may carry the virus on their hands and clothing. With that in mind, people exposed to sick dogs are urged to wash their hands and clothing thoroughly.

For more information about H3N2 virus, visit the University of Florida online.

Patch file photo