A canine influenza virus (CIV) is spreading in the Midwest and has affected more than 1,000 dogs in the region. Health officials believe that the CIV is caused by a new strain.

Medical experts previously thought that the latest CIV outbreak was caused by the H3N8 strain that was present in North America since 2004. However, Wisconsin Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory (WVDL) and the New York State Animal Diagnostic Laboratory at Cornell University suggest that the strain is H3N2.

Researchers believe that H3N2 was introduced in North America from Asia but no one knows how. Existing vaccines for CIV protects against H3N8 strain but the vaccines are believed to be less effective against H3N2.

Both the CIV strains may cause runny nose, persistent cough and fever. Some dogs do not show any symptoms of the disease, while others may show severe signs.

No evidence exists to prove that CIV can be transmitted to humans. However, medical experts recommend humans to wash their hands and change clothes if they get in close contact with a sick dog. Scientists also suggest that H3N8 strain does not affect cats; however, H3N2 strains can cause respiratory illness in cats.

Thanks to a busy lifestyle, many pet owners do not have enough time to take their dogs out for a walk and hire dog walkers, who take many dogs for a walk at the same time. If a single dog has CIV infection, it has the potential to transmit the disease to other dogs in the dog walking group.

Scientists suggest while dog walking saves precious time for pet owners, it also becomes a hazard for the pet in a way. Veterinarians recommend that pet owners should avoid bringing their dogs in close contact with other dogs.

Veterinarians advise that pet owners should seek immediate medical attention for their pets if they show signs of CIV. Even though existing vaccines may not work against certain strain, pet owners are still encouraged to get their dogs vaccinated.

Experts believe that even though cases of CIV have been reported across Midwest, the disease may even spread to other parts of the country.

"It's a hard question to answer but with today's mobile society and people bringing their pets wherever they go, I'm concerned about that - that it could hit the West or East Coast," says Dr. John DeVries, assistant director of the Oradell Animal Hospital in Paramus.

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