MN: 2023 Canine Influenza

[Mary Wilson]

Minnesota Board of Animal Health

News Release

For immediate release: April 6, 2023
Contact: Michael Crusan

St Paul, Minn - The Minnesota Board of Animal Health officially quarantined an organization operating animal shelters in Hennepin, Anoka and Washington Counties this afternoon to stop the potential spread of canine influenza, a highly infectious disease in dogs. The Board was informed of the suspected cases this morning when the organization reported nearly 200 sick dogs at its facilities. The quarantines are in effect for approximately six weeks based on clinical signs in the dogs.

“There is an approved vaccine for canine influenza, and we’ve advised the organization to vaccinate all dogs in their care.” said Senior Veterinarian in charge of companion animals, Dr. Veronica Bartsch. “The quarantine is crucial to stop the spread of the virus and monitor and treat the exposed dogs.”

Anyone who suspects canine influenza in their dog should contact their veterinarian for guidance and care. Signs of canine influenza in dogs include sneezing, cough, discharge in the eyes or nose, and lethargy. Canine influenza is considered a low risk to people. To date, there is no evidence of spread of canine influenza viruses from dogs to people, and there has never been a reported case of human infection with canine influenza virus in the U.S. or worldwide.

These cases remain suspect because confirmatory testing is not complete. The quarantine and all canine influenza precautions the Board is advising are based on clinical signs and the shelter importing dogs from an Oklahoma shelter where the disease was confirmed.

https://www.bah.state.mn.us/news_release/suspected-canine-influenza-outbreak-prompts-quarantines-in-multiple-metro-animal-shelters/

[Mary Wilson]

NOTE: No information, at this time, on Minnesota Board of Animal Health webpage regarding the strain of Canine Influenza.
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Canine influenza confirmed in Twin Cities animal shelter outbreak

APRIL 10, 2023 / 3:14 PM / CBS MINNESOTA
BY WCCO STAFF

MINNEAPOLIS -- The Minnesota Board of Animal Health confirmed Monday that the H3N2 strain of canine influenza is behind the recent outbreak at Twin Cities' animal shelters. ...

"This strain tends to be more virulent, spreads faster and easier, and tends to make dogs sicker than the H3N8 strain. Dogs shed the virus for 28 days after becoming infected," the MBAH said.

According to the MBAH, vaccines for this strain of dog flu may be in short supply, especially bivalent varieties. The MBAH recommends H3N2-specific vaccines until bivalent supply is restocked.

https://www.cbsnews.com/minnesota/ne...lter-outbreak/
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Strain of canine influenza confirmed in Twin Cities animal shelt

Published: Apr. 10, 2023 at 3:38 PM UTC|Updated: 7 hours ago
By KTTC Staff

MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. (KTTC) – The Minnesota Board of Animal Health (MNBAH) sent out an alert Monday confirming the H3N2 strain of canine influenza has been confirmed in a Twin Cities animal shelter outbreak.

The MNBAH said the strain tends to be more virulent, spreads faster and easier, and tends to make dogs sicker than the H3N8 strain. Dogs shed the virus for 28 days after becoming infected. ...

MNBAH gave some simple precautions to follow with suspected patients:

• Patient physical contact should be limited to only what is necessary, and staff should always wash their hands before and after handling patients.
• If an animal appears healthy andhas had no known exposure to other dogs with suspected or confirmed canine influenza, staff can exercise normal precautions.
• If an animal presents with clinical signs consistent with canine influenza virus infection, staff should put on additional personal protective equipment (PPE), including facemask, gloves and a gown or lab coat. Take off and/or discard the PPE after the animal has left the facility.

https://www.kttc.com/2023/04/10/stra...nimal-shelter/

[Shiloh]

Source: https://www.mprnews.org/story/2023/0...ta-twin-cities

More canine influenza cases reported in the Twin Cities
Estelle Timar Wilcox
April 28, 2023 11:25 AM

The Twin Cities area is seeing an outbreak of canine influenza for the first time since 2018, according to the Minnesota Board of Animal Health.

The Board first reported the outbreak earlier this month when four cases were identified at an Animal Humane Society shelter. Now, the board has identified four more cases which do not appear to be connected to the shelter cases.

New advice released Wednesday tells dog owners in the Twin Cities to keep their pets distanced from unfamiliar dogs. This means considering avoiding dog parks and interactions with other dogs on walks...

[Shiloh]

Source: https://news.yahoo.com/state-officia...172000234.html

State officials urge dog owners to consider vaccinating their pups as canine influenza spreads in Minnesota
Glen Stubbe, Star Tribune/Star Tribune/TNS
Kelly Smith, Star Tribune
Thu, June 29, 2023 at 1:20 PM EDT 5 min read

Canine influenza is suspected of infecting nearly 300 dogs in Minnesota since April, when the outbreak — the largest in the state of the highly contagious virus — was first reported. It's also the largest canine disease outbreak in decades.

"For dog disease in Minnesota, it's the biggest news for the past 40 years at least," said Graham Brayshaw, director of veterinary medicine at the Animal Humane Society.

That's why the state Board of Animal Health this month encouraged dog owners to talk to their vet about vaccinating their pup to protect them and stop the spread of the virus, which causes similar symptoms as the flu in humans.

While supply of the vaccine has increased, however, there's still a widespread shortage of shots in the state and nationwide. Last week, a canine influenza vaccine clinic at the Animal Humane Society sold out immediately...