Currently, Canada is free of any current H2N2 infections thanks to Dr. Scott Weese (an expert in Veterinary infection control and zoonotic pathogens) at the Ontario Veterinary College in Guelph, Ontario.
Our last outbreak was December 2017 from rescue dogs that came over from South Korea. They entered into Windsor, and from there they went to a kennel Muskoka to wait for adoption.. This outbreak spread quickly infecting many dogs and causing and/or contributing to the death of 8 dogs before being contained thanks to Dr Scott Weese and his team.
In 2015 the H3N2 influenza virus had also entered the USA from rescued dogs from South Korea with significant outbreaks in Kentucky and Chicago.
Currently there is a vaccine for endemic areas but not required here in Ontario unless you and your dog travel to the USA. H3N2 has also been reported to be transmissible to cats.
For more information please call us. You can also check out the Worms and Germs blog – Click Here.