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

GAINESVILLE, FL — One day after the state confirmed Florida's first seven cases of the H3N2 virus in canines, the University of Florida’s College of Veterinary Medicine reported an uptick in the number. The school also released information about where the dogs infected with the highly contagious virus are believed to have been exposed.

“The first 12 dogs tested have been confirmed with the strain of influenza known as H3N2 CIV,” Rossana Passaniti, UFHealth’s media relations manager, told Patch. “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.”

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Veterinarians in central and north Florida are treating “many dogs that are suspected to have the dog flu,” Passaniti added. All dogs being treated so far are in stable condition, she said.

H3N2, also known as the “dog flu,” is a respiratory infection. It may cause canines to suffer from fevers, decreased appetites, coughing, sneezing, runny noses and lethargy. Most dogs recover at home without complications, the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services said Tuesday in announcing the state’s first seven cases. Hospitalization is sometimes required, the agency noted. The infection can last two weeks or more.

H3N2 is considered a highly contagious virus. No evidence has been found, however, that indicates the virus is capable of making people sick, both UF and the state said. While H3N2 can make dogs quite ill, the state reports the mortality rate associated with it is low.

According to the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), the outbreak of N3N2 virus began in Chicago in 2015 and 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.”

UF has confirmed that Florida’s strain “is the same strain responsible for the severe outbreak of canine influenza in Chicago in 2015,” Passaniti said.

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. Pet owners are urged to get their dogs vaccinated against canine influenza viruses. Should symptoms appear, the state recommends owners call their vets before taking them into a clinic “in order to decrease the chances of spreading the virus to other animals at the clinic.”

“The virus can survive in the environment (kennel surfaces, food/water bowls, collars/ leashes, toys, beds) or on people’s clothing and hands for 12 to 24 hours before it dies,” the UF's College of Veterinary Medicine reports on its website. “It is easily killed by handwashing with soap and water, normal laundering of clothing and bedding, and washing food/water bowls and toys with soap and water.”

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

Image by Oliver Ruhm via Flickr used under Creative Commons