Officials: No Vaccine Will Stop New Strain Of Dog Flu

BALTIMORE (WJZ)—Changing  flu strains don't just make people sick.

Alex DeMetrick reports, a new strain of dog flu has surfaced and there's no vaccine to stop in.

Dog owners in Washington State are keeping a close eye on their pets, after a new strain of dog flu surfaced.

Coughing, fever, listlessness are all symptoms and it's highly contagious.

"Eighty percent of dogs exposed are going to get sick. Five percent are going to die. It's scary," said Dr. Kim Hammond, Falls Road Animal Hospital.

Last year, dog flu sickened 2,000 in 24 states, including Maryland. There is a vaccine for that flu, but not the new strain of the virus.

"None of the dogs have immunity to fight it off. When dogs are going to dog daycare, dog parks, or  boarding over night, it can spread very rapidly," said Veterinarian  Beth Lipton.

So far the newest strain of the flu hasn't reached Maryland.

"I would advise everyone not to worry about it. Business as usual in Maryland right now. As soon as you hear dog flu is in the area, you have to change everything," said Dr. Hammond.

Humans can't catch the dog flu, but they can spread it to healthy dogs after close contact with infected animals.