September 28, 2005 Source: University of Saskatchewan:
http://www.usask.ca/events/news/articles/20050928-1.html U of S Expert Available for Interviews on Dog Flu Virus Organization: University of Saskatchewan Communications
Email: communications@usask.ca
Released: Sept. 28, 2005 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE -Wednesday, Sept. 28, 2005
2005-09-13-WCVM U of S Expert Available for Interviews on Dog Flu Virus A new, highly contagious and sometimes deadly canine flu is spreading across
the United States, and experts fear the virus may be making its way into
Canada. The virus, which scientists say mutated from the equine influenza virus, has
infected racing greyhounds in seven states and has been found in shelters
and pet shops in many places, including the New York suburbs. It is unknown if the virus has made its way into Canada, though Guelph
University's Animal Health Laboratory is testing samples for evidence the
virus has crossed the border. Scientists believe the fatality rate may be
as high as 10 percent among puppies and older dogs diagnosed with the
disease. University of Saskatchewan professor Hugh Townsend is an expert on the
equine influenza virus, which the dog influenza is thought to have mutated
from, and has been following the canine virus since it was discovered in
2004. He believes that the risk of the dog influenza virus being contracted by
humans may be no greater than the risk for humans of contracting equine
influenza. The horse flu strain has been circulating in the equine
population for at least 40 years, but as yet there is no evidence that
humans have ever been infected by it. "It's always possible, but there's no evidence to suggest a jump from
horses to humans, and from my understanding of the virus, the risk is no
different with the canine flu," Dr. Townsend said. "What's really
interesting is that horse flu has made it into dogs and is now being
transferred from one dog to another." Townsend is a veterinarian, a faculty member in the Western College of
Veterinary Medicine, and a scientist with the U of S Vaccine and Infectious
Disease Organization (VIDO). He can be reached at 966-1514. -30- For more information, contact: David Hutton
Research Communications
University of Saskatchewan
(306) 966-6490
www.usask.ca/research
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