Canine influenza confirmed in 8 states; should shelters and rescue groups be vaccinating?
A multi-state outbreak of the highly contagious H3N2 canine influenza virus has now been confirmed in Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Tennessee, Kentucky, Texas, and Illinois. Animal shelters and rescue groups have been contacting the Maddie’s® Shelter Medicine Program at UF as well as other shelter medicine programs around the country looking for information on preventing the disease from entering their populations.
The single most important thing every shelter or rescue group can do is to try to protect their dogs from coming in contact with sick dogs.
Many organizations have asked about the role of vaccination for protecting their dogs.
Merck Animal Health and Zoetis have vaccines for H3N2 CIV. Two doses of vaccine must be given for optimum immune response. The doses are administered over a two-to-three-week period, and establish immunity within one to two weeks after the second dose. Just like human flu vaccines, the H3N2 CIV vaccine may not completely prevent infection, but will make it less likely. Additionally, if a vaccinated dog does get infected, the disease is likely to be more mild and of shorter duration. The vaccine can also reduce the risk for pneumonia. The H3N2 vaccines contain killed virus so they cannot cause disease.
In the community, vaccination is the most important tool for reducing or preventing influenza virus circulation. The more dogs vaccinated, the greater the immune barrier, and the less opportunity for virus transmission between dogs.
Shelters and foster-based rescue groups who observe a greater-than-normal number of coughing dogs in their care can consult this document for more information, including how to contact the Maddie’s Shelter Medicine Program at UF and other experts for assistance and advice.
Additional information can be found below:
Canine Influenza H3N2: Frequently Asked Questions
Management of Disease Outbreaks in Shelters
Collection of Swabs for Diagnosis of Respiratory Pathogens by PCR
Video: Collection of Swabs from Dogs and Cats for Respiratory Pathogen PCR Testing
FAQ for Veterinarians on Canine Influenza