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It’s called the dog flu, and it has hit the Sunshine State.

The first confirmed case of the new H3N2 strain was reported in Deland over Memorial Day weekend.

According to the University of Florida, the strain entered the state from dogs and people who have attended a dog show.

Now, more than 30 cases of canine influenza have been reported across the state, mainly in northeast and central Florida.

No cases have been reported in Hillsborough or Pasco counties, but it has reached Orlando.

The “highly contagious” H3N2 virus first infected about 1,000 dogs in Chicago in 2015, and since has spread to more than 30 states.

And, it’s more perilous than the H3N8 strain, first identified in Florida in 2004 in racing greyhounds.

The new virus is characterized by persistent coughing, along with sneezing and nasal discharge.

Many infected dogs experience a fever, decreased appetite and lethargy during the first few days of illness.

Unlike other forms of dog flu, which have symptoms and risk of contagion lasting only for about a week, the H3N2 strain is contagious for at least 26 days and can live on surfaces for up to 24 hours, health officials say.

That means it can spread through toys, leashes, kennel crates, dishes and floors, along with contaminated hands and clothing; frequent hand washing with soap and water, normal laundering of clothing and bedding, and washing food/water bowls and toys with soap is strongly advised.

The University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine says there is no evidence the disease can infect humans, but it can spread to cats.

Dr. Cynda Crawford, of the University of Florida’s Maddie’s Shelter Medicine Program, said the virus is an “imminent threat” to dogs statewide.

“We’re probably just seeing the tip of the iceberg,” she said. “It is very important for both veterinarians and dog owners in the state of Florida to have very heightened awareness of the presence of this virus in the state.”

The flu can infect all canine dogs, regardless of breed, age or health status, according to Dr. Moses Kawalya, of Pet Point Animal Hospital in Lutz.

“All dogs are at risk; there’s no preferential breed,” he said.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says the H3N2 disease is an avian flu virus that adapted and since spread to dogs. It was first detected in South Korea in 2007 before making its way to the United States in 2015.

No end appears in sight.

“Viruses generally have aggressive potential for mutation, so it’s possible that you can get one strain under control, and then another comes later on, which could be more contagious than the other ones before,” Kawalya explained.

Fortunately, most dogs recover from H3N2 without complications, health officials say.

But, some can develop “life-threatening” pneumonia, if the dog isn’t under the care of a veterinarian with proper treatments.

The best prevention is vaccination.

“The more dogs that we can vaccinate and build up community immunity, the better chance we have of keeping this virus out of a community,” said Crawford.

“It is all about using vaccines to build a wall — an immune barrier to stop the virus from entry.”

Dogs are most at-risk when around other dogs that may be sick or in areas other dogs hang out at. Nose-to-nose contact with other dogs is one of the ways dogs can contract the virus.

Dog parks, pet stores, pet day care centers and grooming salons are also examples of places canines can contract the dog flu from, if a contagious dog has been there.

Besides public places, dog shows are particularly risky, Crawford said.

“This is a clear problem in the dog show population,” she said.

“I think it is a high risk to take dogs to dog shows at this time, because there could be dogs that are infected and contagious to other dogs,” Crawford added.

She also noted canines that mainly stay within the confines of their homes or yard are least at-risk.

Though she still recommends vaccination, in case an emergency arises.

“Most dogs are probably in a risk group for exposure,” Crawford said. “Their risk for exposure increases significantly, if the virus has been documented to be circulating in the community and state where they live.”

Despite the virus’ rise, some local residents don’t plan to vaccinate their dogs, yet.

Sharon Espinola, a Lutz resident who owns a 5-year-old border collie mix, said she doesn’t believe her dog, Leo, needs the flu vaccine.

“Given his age and health status, and the fact that we don’t go to dog parks, I feel like he’s not at risk,” she said. “Now, if it looked like it was more widespread and was something that was really going to impact his health negatively, I would certainly take a second look at it.”

Nevertheless, she’s still monitoring the disease to see if it reaches the Tampa Bay region.

“I think being aware is really important,” she said, “and, if you have a dog with a compromised immune system, I think it would definitely be something to look at.”

Terri Garey, a Lutz resident who owns two Yorkillons, hasn’t vaccinated, either.

“I haven’t had the dogs vaccinated because their contact with other dogs is very limited. We don’t board them or take them to the dog park,” Garey wrote in an email to The Laker/Lutz News.

For pet owners who think their dog has become infected, Kawalya suggests calling their veterinarian ahead so they can take precautionary measures.

“The vet has to make sure they minimize any exposure to any dog that may be at the vet’s office,” he said. “They may want to bring the dog through a separate door or entrance.”

Meanwhile, the Hillsborough County’s Pet Resource Center is taking steps to protect against the latest, highly contagious mutation of canine influenza.

The facility, at 440 N. Falkenburg Road, is now closed to the public on Mondays to give veterinary staff more time to examine dogs and allow shelter staff to conduct weekly deep cleanings for added disease prevention; the closure will give the dogs and cats a day of rest from constant human interaction.

Beginning July 1, pet intake will end an hour earlier, at 6 p.m., to allow more time for the veterinary staff to examine dogs that are received at the end of the day.

Also beginning July 1, owners who surrender dogs will be asked to make appointments so the facility can proactively combat outside contamination.

Additionally, county residents bringing in dogs or cats that are coughing or sneezing will be asked to keep the pet outside of the Pet Resource Center and contained in the resident’s vehicle to avoid possible contamination, whereby veterinary staff will provide an initial examination prior to the pet entering the building to ensure the safety of the pets inside the building.

Published June 21, 2017