Influenza virus in Chicago may also affect cats - update

04/13/2015
It has now been reported that the outbreak of canine influenza virus in Chicago is due to a different flu virus - H3N2 - which until now had only been seen in Korea, China and Thailand. The same basic precautions apply, though it is uncertain if the available vaccine will cross protect for this new virus.

Key points:
  • Though not known to be infectious to humans, this flu virus (H3N2) has infected cats as well as dogs.
  • The virus has not yet been seen in pets in Iowa or Ames, but be careful when traveling, especially in the Chicago area. Leave your dog at home if you can. Most cats would rather not travel anyway.
  • During an outbreak avoid places where your animal can have contact with others such as dog parks, kennels, groomers, pet stores and other areas where dogs and cats may come into contact with unfamiliar animals. Hopefully these places will be taking precautions and cleaning well.
  • Good hygiene and early identification of ill animals is the best practice to avoid spread of the disease. (Teach your dogs to wash their hands!)
  • Keep any dog or cat with a cough or respiratory signs isolated from other susceptible animals and clean items that come into contact with an ill animal before contacting healthy ones.
  • The virus is easily killed with disinfectants as well as soap and water, but it can live on surfaces for up to 24 hours.
  • If your dog or cat becomes ill, especially developing a cough, respiratory signs or fever, contact your veterinarian and they will use special precautions to care for your animal while avoiding spread to others.
  • Most dogs recover within 2-3 weeks from infection as the virus runs its course. Some may become more ill and require hospitalization and supportive care. A few dogs have died during this outbreak. Very young puppies and elderly dogs are the most susceptible.

The AVMA (American Veterinary Medical Association) has updated its fact sheets to reflect this new information:

https://www.avma.org/public/PetCare/Pages/CanineInfluenza.aspx