Canine influenza outbreak has been announced in the Chicago area. Some veterinarians think the outbreak has the ability to spread in the Quad Cities.

Dog flu is a respiratory virus. Its symptoms include cough, sneezing, fever and a loss of appetite. The flu is high contagious and has already made more than 1,000 digs near Chicago ill between January and March.

Officials told that six dogs have died due to the outbreak. “We’re not that far away from Chicago, and there’s an awful lot of cases over that way. Sooner or later, we expect it’s going to hit our neighborhood, and we’d like to be prepared”, affirmed Dr. Laurainne Haenni, a veterinarian at Advanced Animal Health Center in Rock Falls, Illinois.

Steps are being taken to control the outbreak. Happy Tails Humane Society and Advanced Animal in unison are offering a two-dose flu vaccination for $20. Haenni has suggested that the vaccine should be taken for dogs that visit the groomer, daycare and dog parks.

Investigation is being carried out in the matter. As per scientists, the current epidemic has been caused by a strain that has never been seen before in North America. It is feared that currently available vaccine might not be able to provide protection against this particular strain of dog flu. But experts said that it is the only best available option.

Haenni said that there could be a possibility that some cross-reactivity might be taking place from the vaccination for the virus that has been floating around. Pet owners have been vaccinating their dogs.

Vets and technicians at some Chicago clinics affirmed that they have been using protective clothing to stop the virus from spreading.