Dog flu found in Washington

After two cases of canine influenza popped up in the western half of the state, researchers at Washington State University say it’s likely the virus has found its way into Washington.

James Evermann, lab director for the Washington Animal Disease Diagnostic Lab at WSU, said the dogs in Western Washington have been diagnosed with the influenza A virus, which comes in two strains – H3N8 and H3N2.

“We’re pretty sure it was the H3N2 because it was recently found in Montana,” Evermann said. “I always tell people not to worry, but be concerned.”

He said both cause a contagious respiratory disease in dogs, and although the flu can be fatal, like most influenzas, it is more known to make its victims extremely ill, rather than kill them.

The canine virus isn’t known to spread to humans.

Evermann said the H3N8 virus originated from dog-horse contact at horse races in Florida more than 40 years ago, and the H3N2 virus originated in South Korea from birds in 2007. The H3N2 virus is not related to the human influenza H3N2 virus.

The WADDL and Evermann have been following the new canine flu since its emergence in 2007 and since April when the illness made its way to the states and began to pop up inside kennels throughout the Chicago area.

Dogs infected with the virus will display a cough – often sounding like a “honking” noise – a runny nose and a fever. Some dogs may show no symptoms at all, Evermann said, but if a dog is left untreated, pneumonia can occur and can lead to death.

He said the virus is spread through direct contact with an infected dog’s respiratory secretions, like sneezing and coughing, and a surface or object – even a human hand – can be contaminated by coming into contact with an infected dog, which can lead to the spread of the flu and other dogs catching it.

For that same reason, Evermann is advising dog owners to clean up after themselves and practice good hygiene, as they too can help pass the flu.

Evermann said the influenza spreads more rapidly when dogs are in tight quarters like kennels, as they were when the flu started spreading in the Chicago area.

There is an approved vaccine for H3N8 and WSU researchers believe it may provide some cross-protection for the new H3N2 canine influenza. A new vaccine for H3N2 was given conditional approval this month.

“It’s safe to use in dogs, but we’re unsure how effective it will be,” Evermann said on the conditional vaccine for the new dog flu.

Evermann said Idaho and Oregon had not seen any cases of the dog flu as of Tuesday evening.

He said he is advising all dog owners who are suspicious of the flu to contact their veterinarians.

To help figure if your dog is infected, WSU veterinarians advise dog owners to look for fevers, sneezing and discharge from the eyes, which doesn’t occur in common colds for dogs.

Lastly, while cold viruses take up to 10 days to show symptoms, the canine influenza viruses affect dogs within two to four days.