Posted on September 30, 2009 by: WayCoolDogs

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With 26 states reporting widespread influenza activity presently in September, it is reported by CDC that this widespread activity is very unusual for that particular month.  And not only are dog owners worried about obtaining the H1N1 Swine Flu, but are beginning to be concerned about the current condition of the N3N8 Dog Influenza in 30 of our states. What is causing concern is the question whether or not they can cross over to each other, as did the dog influenza cross over from the equine (horse) influenza.

It wasn’t until 2005 that the canine influenza was considered a new dog-specific lineage of the H3N8 virus, identified by experts as “a newly emerging pathogen in the U.S. dog population.” To date, there is no data of the transmission of canine influenza virus from dogs to people, even though the virus infects dogs and spreads between dogs. However, according to the CDC,

“… human infections with new influenza viruses (against which the human population has little immunity) would be concerning if they occurred. Influenza viruses are constantly changing and it is possible for a virus to change so that it could infect humans and spread easily between humans. Such a virus could represent a pandemic influenza threat. For this reason, CDC and its partners are monitoring the H3N8 influenza virus (as well as other animal influenza viruses) along with instances of possible human exposure to these viruses very closely.”

Transmission of Swine Flu and Canine Influenza

The swine flu, or H1N1 flu, is considered very dangerous as it is a new influenza virus which is a concern to CDC, basically as it has an unknown pattern. Even though H1N1 has not transferred from humans to dogs, or if H3N8 has not transferred from dogs to humans…..it is not known if it will or won’t yet…as they are both new emerging pathogens in the United States.  If this was not the case, the CDC would not be watching them both so carefully.  Also, they are not guaranteeing us they will not transfer over.  All they can say is they have not done so yet.

Diseases which transfer from animals to humans are referred to as zoonoses diseases, and are seriously on the rise on a global basis right now.  Today, pet ownership is posing serious health risks to their owners through the zoonotic transmission of infectious diseases, with over 200 zoonotic diseases recognized by the World Health Organization.

Monitoring by CDC of All Types of Influenza Types

“This season, CDC and states will continue surveillance for flu-related hospitalizations and deaths, but the system has been modified to combine all influenza and pneumonia-associated hospitalizations and deaths and not just those due to 2009 H1N1. This is a new system in place effective August 30, 2009, that will be used to monitor trends in hospitalizations and deaths. CDC believes this system will provide a fuller picture of the burden of serious flu illness and deaths during this pandemic. This number will be cross-checked periodically against modeling studies to assess its validity.’

“Due to CDC’s new case definitions, there will be no definitive way to differentiate between hospitalizations and deaths due to seasonal influenza versus those due to 2009 H1N1 influenza from aggregate reporting.  And some deaths that are not due to influenza specifically will be included.” (CDC.gov)

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By the way……on the lighter side!!

What is the difference between Bird Flu and Swine Flu?

For bird flu you need tweetment

and for swine flu you need oinkment!!

Sources:

WHO

CDC.gov

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