It’s unknown how many dogs have been affected by canine influenza because it isn’t a reportable disease in the U.S. Lack of testing is one reason it’s unclear how many have the virus. Canine flu spreads in one of two ways: movement of infective dogs between communities and movement of contaminated people between dogs. So, canine influenza may be considered a lifestyle disease that reflects our social and mobile populations of dogs and people.
Source: Veterinary Practice News, March 13, 2018.
Dogs transmit it to each other through direct contact with respiratory secretions delivered by barking, coughing, or sneezing. They also can acquire the virus through contact with contaminated surfaces or items such as food or water bowls. Virologist Dr. Edward Dubovi said there is some evidence that dogs infected with H3N2 shed the virus for longer periods than dogs with H3N8.