TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – The first cases of "dog flu" have been confirmed in Florida.
The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services announced Tuesday that seven cases of H3N2 canine influenza have been confirmed in the state.
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Six other cases are pending.
The University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine said all the infected canines were either at a dog show in Perry, Georgia on May 19-21 or at a dog show in DeLand the following weekend, or they were exposed to those dogs.
FloridaWild Veterinary Hospital in DeLand wrote on its Facebook page on May 25 that if any clients were at the shows to avoid dog parks, shows or "areas where your dog would have nose to nose contact with other dogs" for the next 4 weeks. The animal hospital warned clients with dogs exhibiting symptoms to call ahead so that staff can evaluate the animals in their owners' cars, to avoid spreading the contagion.
"More severe cases will be referred to the University of Florida for hospitalization and isolation," the clinic wrote.
This highly contagious flu has been circulating around the country since 2015, but the seven cases are the first confirmed in Florida.
While the virus has a low mortality rate and poses no risk to humans, dog owners are urged to call their veterinarian before going to a clinic so as not to spread the flu.
Dogs infected with H3N2 have a fever, decreased appetite and lethargy. The good news is most most dogs recover at home with any further complications.
Vaccines do exist for dog flu, and a 21-day quarantine is recommended for dogs with H3N2 strain.
It was first detected in South Korea in 2007 before making its way to the United States in 2015. H3N2 made headlines that year after an estimated 1,000 dogs in Chicago contracted the virus.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.