Canine influenza: should we look out for a sneeze?
Abstract
Influenza viruses are significant pathogens of mammals and birds but are rarely mentioned as important pathogens in dogs. Nevertheless, several viral episodes have occurred in past decade which are changing the comprehension of the influenza virus’ role in dogs. Veterinary professionals can play an important role in preventing unreasonable fears that may arise among personnel and owners, and in improving understanding as to when and where influenza infection is possible.
In April 2009, in a town of the state of Veracruz in Mexico, an unusual viral event took place making the headlines in every newspaper and establishing a panic scenario worldwide. A reassorted human/swine/bird influenza virus had combined with a Eurasian pig influenza virus (Trifonov et al, 2009) and was responsible for the 2009 pandemic H1N1 which ultimately affected more than 200 countries and caused over 14 000 deaths (World Health Organization, 2010). The threat of influenza epidemics in humans is taken very seriously mostly due to its consistent yearly occurrence and the pandemic ability whenever a major viral variant emerges. Additionally, the influenza virus is continuously and extensively shed airborne through coughing or sneezing and virus transmission can occur even before any symptoms become apparent. The influenza virus is considered to be highly contagious, and therefore viral dissemination is very difficult to control resulting in the prospective death of millions of people — and the world is continually reminded of the 1918 pandemic in which estimates of the number who died reach 50 million people, more than the First World War itself (Taubenberger and Morens, 2006) (Table 1). On August 10 2010, Margaret Chan, the Director General of the World Health Organization, announced to the world the official end of the H1N1 pandemic, the first influenza pandemic of the 21st century (World Health Organization/Europe, 2010). This, however, does not necessarily mean the end of this virus or its toll on the human population. It is now known that the H1N1(2009) is circulating along with seasonal influenza viruses while replacing the former seasonal H1N1 strains, and that acquired immunity resulting from previous exposure to H1N1(2009) attenuates the effects of this virus (Gyles, 2010). The potential for the emergence of new H1N1 strains is well established and is due to antigenic drift (World Health Organization, 2010).
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