Canine influenza, also known as dog flu, is a contagious viral respiratory disease of dogs caused by Influenza A viruses that normally infect humans and pigs. Even though canine influenza virus (CIV) infections were first reported in the United States in 2004, the introduction of new virus strains from other regions has increased concerns about this disease worldwide in the past decade.
Causes and Transmission
Canine influenza is caused by Influenza A virus subtypes H3N8 and H3N2. The H3N8 subtype was first detected in dogs in the United States in 2004. It is believed to have been introduced from horses to dogs. The H3N2 subtype first emerged in dogs in Asia in 2005 and was introduced to the United States in 2015. It contains gene segments from flu viruses adapted to swine, humans and birds.
Both subtypes spread through respiratory secretions when infected dogs cough or sneeze. Transmission occurs through direct contact between dogs, or indirectly from surfaces contaminated with respiratory secretions from infected dogs. Larger and more densely populated environments like dog shows, shelters and kennels increase the risk of virus transmission.
Clinical Signs
The clinical signs of Global Canine Influenza Vaccine resemble those seen with human influenza. Infected dogs typically show signs of upper respiratory disease including coughing, sneezing, nasal discharge and fever that last for 1-3 weeks. Younger dogs and those with weaker immune systems are at higher risk of developing more severe illness with pneumonia. Most dogs recover fully, but some may develop secondary bacterial infections that prolong illness. Mortality is low except in very young, old or sick dogs.
Diagnosis and Treatment
Veterinarians diagnose dog flu based on clinical signs, a dog's exposure history and laboratory tests. Samples collected from the nasal cavity or throat of sick dogs can be tested by RT-PCR or virus isolation techniques to detect the influenza A virus RNA or live virus. Treatment focuses on relieving symptoms with medications and supportive care. Secondary bacterial infections are treated with antibiotics. Corticosteroids may help control severe respiratory distress in very ill dogs. For timely treatment and preventing virus spread, any dog showing influenza-like signs should be isolated.
Canine Influenza Vaccine Industry and Prevention
No treatments are available to cure canine influenza once dogs are infected. Vaccination provides the best protection and minimizing the risks posed by this emerging disease. Commercially available inactivated vaccines protect against either the H3N8 or H3N2 subtypes of CIV alone or in combination. Annual vaccination is recommended for at-risk dogs, especially those in group settings like shelters, boarding and grooming facilities. Basic hygiene practices like limiting dog interactions in public, checking for symptoms before dog playdates and disinfecting shared areas can also help reduce transmission. Strict biosecurity measures are important for kennels, shelters and veterinary hospitals housing dogs.
Global Disease Concerns
Since first emerging in North America, canine influenza has continued spreading to new geographical regions through virus evolution and dog movements. South Korea was affected by H3N2 virus in 2007 and it has now spread to other Asian countries including China and Thailand. Europe witnessed its first case of canine influenza in dogs imported to the UK from Asia in 2012 followed by detections in Italy, France and other regions. The movement of infected dogs in the global pet trade and insufficient prevention measures pose a continuous risk of introducing new flu strains to other dog populations around the world. Strong surveillance programs and vaccination campaigns will be important to control and contain the global spread of this canine pathogen in the coming years.
Zoonotic Potential
While canine influenza viruses primarily cause respiratory disease in dogs, there is a theoretical risk of cross-species transmission to humans through close contact with infected dogs. The H3N2 variant has already shown an ability to spread from dogs to humans during separate reported incidents in the United States. People at greatest exposure risk include veterinary staff, shelter and kennel workers, dog breeders and owners of sick pets. However, documented human infections have been mild, self-limiting influenza-like illnesses even without medical care. Rigorous hygienic precautions minimize zoonotic risks from infected dogs. Still, continuous monitoring is needed to detect any virus adaptation enabling sustained human-to-human transmission in future.
Addressing Global Needs
As an emerging transboundary disease, international collaborations are vital for sharing epidemiological data, monitoring virus evolution and developing control strategies for canine influenza across borders. The WHO and OIE should designate it as an important zoonotic pathogen requiring global attention and coordinated prevention efforts. Vaccine manufacturers need incentives for developing improved next-generation vaccines that provide cross-protection against evolving strains from multiple geographical regions. Affordable vaccination programs benefit humane shelters and stray dog populations, breaking virus circulation chains. Investing in surveillance infrastructure strengthens early outbreak detection capacity worldwide. With a
One health collaborative approach involving veterinary and human public health agencies, the global impacts of this emerging canine pathogen can be mitigated over time. Heightened awareness among pet owners, handlers and travelers facilitates simple measures reducing international spread risks for canine influenza in the future.
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