Can dogs get bird flu?

Dear njkyriacou-ga

Thank you for allowing me to answer your interesting question. As of
yet there are no known cases of Avian Influenza (bird flu) cases in
canines. The closest similar virus infecting canines is a type A
influenza virus called H3N8 (Canine Influenza). The avian flu is also
type A, but is categorized as H5N1.

NEW SCIENTIST
http://www.newscientist.com/article.ns?id=dn8062

The Centers for Disease Control is reportedly showing some interest in
this emerging problem:

CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL
Media Briefing on Canine Influenza 
http://www.cdc.gov/od/oc/media/transcripts/t050926.htm

The theory (in a nutshell) is that the Canine flu may have crossed
over to dogs from horses infected with Equine flu (Horse influenza),
based on the notion that the equine strain of the virus MIGHT HAVE
originally crossed over to horses from Avian flu. In theory the
crossover might have taken place when greyhounds in Florida might have
ingested infected horsemeat.

BIRD FLU INFECTING DOMESTIC DOGS IN THE UNITED STATES?
http://www.recombinomics.com/News/05130505/H3N8_Domestic_Dogs_United_States.html

So the answer to your question tentatively appears to be ?NO?; avian
influenza has not spread to dog, but it is (in theory) believed to
have ?affected? dogs. In other words, the avian influenza virus MAY in
some way be remotely responsible for the isolated illness suffered
recently by some dogs, but the end result was not ?Avian Influenza
(H5N1)? in dogs; rather it is a mutated ?Canine Influenza (H3N8)? ?
there?s a big difference.

I hope you find that my answer exceeds your expectations. If you have
any questions about my research please post a clarification request
prior to rating the answer. Otherwise I welcome your rating and your
final comments and I look forward to working with you again in the
near future. Thank you for bringing your question to us.

Best regards;
Tutuzdad-ga ? Google Answers Researcher



INFORMATION SOURCES

URBAN LEGENDS
http://www.snopes.com/critters/crusader/dogflu.asp

BRONSON ALERTS PUBLIC TO NEWLY EMERGING CANINE FLU
http://doacs.state.fl.us/press/2005/09202005.html


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SEARCH TERMS USED:

Avian influenza

Canine influenza

Equine influenza

Dogs

Good work, thanks. I telephoned my veterinary here in England this
morning with the same question. However, the nurse receptionist I
spoke with was unclear about the current situation and how it might
affect dogs. Once again, thanks for shedding some light on this issue.