5 cases of canine flu confirmed in Tippecanoe Co.

TIPPECANOE COUNTY, Ind. (WLFI) – Five cases of canine influenza have been confirmed in Tippecanoe County Friday, which follows 12 confirmed cases found in northwest Indiana Thursday.

Purdue College of Veterinary Medicine public affairs director Kevin Doerr said the dogs were tested for the virus at Purdue. Doerr confirmed all the dogs are from the Tippecanoe County area.

With five confirmed cases in the county, residents are encouraged to vaccinate their dogs. Dogs should be vaccinated if the animal spends a lot of time around other dogs, or if the animal is old, young or has a weak immune system. Symptoms include a runny nose, sneezing, coughing and fever.

Spokesperson for the State Board of Health Denise Derrer said on Thursday, the department has been made aware of 12 cases in northwest Indiana. Officials in Chicago report that cases have reached to over 1,000 dogs affected.

This dog flu is no threat to humans. But if pet owners come into contact with a sick dog, humans can spread it to other dogs.