INFLUENZA, CANINE - USA: (NEW JERSEY) ************************************* A ProMED-mail post <http://www.isid.org> ProMED-mail is a program of the International Society for Infectious Diseasea <http://www.isid.org>  Date: 2 Jul 2009 Source: The Examiner [edited] <http://examiner.gmnews.com/news/2009/0702/front_page/030.html>   K-9 influenza outbreak reported in central New Jersey ----------------------------------------------------- An outbreak of canine influenza has beeen reported in the Millstone region.  Over the last several weeks, NorthStar VETS, a specialty and emergency  trauma hospital located in the Clarksburg section of Millstone, has seen an  increasing number of patients being admitted for the treatment of this virus.  There have been 9 cases in the hospital so far, and because of its  contagious nature, more are expected. Canine influenza is not contagious to  people, cats, or other species, although people can carry the virus in  their nasal passages and transmit it to dogs at home.  Canine influenza should be considered a serious disease; infected animals  have a 100 per cent mortality rate. However, with a rapid and accurate  diagnosis, proper treatment can reduce this statistic to a 1-5 per cent  mortality rate, according to information from the hospital. According to Dr  Daniel Stobie, owner of NorthStar VETS, "It is a new virus. There seems to  be a resurgence, with young and older pets being more susceptible."  NorthStar VETS is encouraging dog owners to be vigilant and on the lookout  for signs such as difficulty breathing, dry coughing, nasal discharge, high  fever, severe lethargy or lack of appetite. If any of these signs are  displayed, they suggest isolating the dog from other animals and seeking  medical treatment immediately.  In conjunction with recommendations from the state veterinarian and  Department of Agriculture, the hospital has been disinfected and fumigated  to eliminate the virus. In addition, NorthStar VETS has arranged to have a  mobile isolation unit on the property located away from the hospital to  accept and manage influenza cases. This mobile isolation unit is equipped  with oxygen and medical supplies for the treatment of patients. The main  hospital will function as normal to receive referrals and emergency care.  "While this is a disconcerting virus, NorthStar VETS is completely prepared  to assist family veterinarians and pet owners alike to manage this crisis,"  said Brie Messier, hospital administrator, NorthStar VETS. "We are very  pleased to have been able to mobilize quickly and efficiently, allowing us  to be a resource to the community. Together, we hope to save many family  dogs."  For further information, contact North-Star VETS at  <http://www.northstarvets.com>.  
--  communicated by: HealthMap Alerts via ProMED-mail <promed@promedmail.org>  [Canine influenza is a type A orthomyxovirus. It mimics "kennel cough" or  _Bordetella brochiseptica_/parainfluenza virus complex, which sounds like a  hacking cough that does not seem to stop. The cough with canine influenza  can be either moist or dry and about 20 per cent of infected dogs may show  little or no clinical signs but still be shedding virus. Canine influenza  is contagious by aerosolized droplets and contaminated fomites (inanimate  objects) that the dog can contact. People can transmit the disease to their  pets.  Unfortunately, treatment is non-specific but generally supportive. It is  important to get treatment early to reduce the death rate.  For a brief fact sheet on canine influenza, see the Washington State  University College of Veterinary Medicine, Washington Animal Disease  Diagnostic Laboratory (WADDL) website  <http://www.vetmed.wsu.edu/depts_waddl/dx/K9Influenza.aspx>. There is also  an information sheet available on the University of Florida College of  Veterinary Medicine website  <https://www.vetmed.ufl.edu/college/departments/patho/IDPHistory.html>. The  location of the outbreak may be seen on <http://www.healthmap.org/en> - Mod.TG]