Dog Flu Cases Confirmed In Minneapolis: City

MINNEAPOLIS — The Minnesota Board of Animal Health alerted Minneapolis officials on Friday of "several" positive cases of the canine flu in Minneapolis, the city said.

The city is now warning pet owners to be cautious, especially those in the dog-heavy neighborhoods of North Loop and Uptown.

Symptoms of canine influenza include coughing, runny eyes or nose, hard swallowing or throat clearing, fever, and lethargy. The symptoms can often appear suddenly.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there is no evidence that canine influenza can spread to humans. However, the virus can spread to

The city provided the following tips for pet owners:

Avoid dog to dog contact as this is the most common mode of transmission.

Avoiding areas where large numbers of dogs are congregating together.

Keep your distance (6 feet) at places where dogs congregate and while on walks.

Keep pet surfaces clean: The virus can remain on surfaces in the environment for up to 24-48 hours.

Consult your pet’s veterinarian if there are any symptoms of the disease.

Consult your veterinarian on vaccinating your pet against the disease.

State officials say there are strong indicators of community spread of canine influenza in the Twin Cities metro area, and the board has been "inundated" with calls from veterinarians on suspected cases of canine influenza.

The Animal Humane Society closed all three of its Twin Cities metro area shelters on April 6 in response to an outbreak of canine flu that affected nearly 200 dogs. Its Woodbury shelter reopened with limited services this week.

Five dogs in their care were euthanized due to the virus, including three with other complicating health or behavior issues, the AHS said.