Who is susceptible to canine influenza?
Because canine influenza is due to a virus that is novel to the canine population, dogs lack preexisting immunity to the virus. Dogs of any breed, age or health status are therefore susceptible to infection. Although studies have not verified, it is likely that dogs that have recovered from infection retain immunity to re‐infection for an undetermined time period. Canine influenza is most likely to spread in facilities where dogs are housed together and where there is a high turnover of dogs in and out of the facility. Dogs in shelters, boarding and training facilities, day care centers, dog shows, veterinary clinics, pet stores and grooming parlors are at highest risk for exposure to CIV, especially if these facilities are located in communities where the virus is prevalent. Dogs that mostly stay at home and walk around the neighborhood are at low risk. CIV does not infect people, and there is no documentation that cats have become infected by exposure to dogs with canine influenza.
