Two strains of canine influenza virus, H3N8 and H3N2, caused outbreaks among dogs in the United States in 2004 and 2015. In response, vaccines were developed that targeted each strain. While the vaccines do not prevent infection, they lessen the severity of symptoms. Approval of the H3N8 and H3N2 vaccines in 2010 and 2015 showed that regulators and veterinarians could quickly respond to major disease outbreaks. It is possible that the techniques used to create these canine influenza vaccines may help in developing vaccines for other canine viruses in the future.
Two strains of canine influenza virus, H3N8 and H3N2, caused outbreaks among dogs in the United States in 2004 and 2015. In response, vaccines were developed that targeted each strain. While the vaccines do not prevent infection, they lessen the severity of symptoms. Approval of the H3N8 and H3N2 vaccines in 2010 and 2015 showed that regulators and veterinarians could quickly respond to major disease outbreaks. It is possible that the techniques used to create these canine influenza vaccines may help in developing vaccines for other canine viruses in the future.
Two strains of canine influenza virus, H3N8 and H3N2, caused outbreaks among dogs in the United States in 2004 and 2015. In response, vaccines were developed that targeted each strain. While the vaccines do not prevent infection, they lessen the severity of symptoms. Approval of the H3N8 and H3N2 vaccines in 2010 and 2015 showed that regulators and veterinarians could quickly respond to major disease outbreaks. It is possible that the techniques used to create these canine influenza vaccines may help in developing vaccines for other canine viruses in the future.
Two strains of canine influenza virus, H3N8 and H3N2, caused outbreaks among dogs in the United States in 2004 and 2015. In response, vaccines were developed that targeted each strain. While the vaccines do not prevent infection, they lessen the severity of symptoms. Approval of the H3N8 and H3N2 vaccines in 2010 and 2015 showed that regulators and veterinarians could quickly respond to major disease outbreaks. It is possible that the techniques used to create these canine influenza vaccines may help in developing vaccines for other canine viruses in the future.
A New Outbreak: The Influence of Canine Influenza on Veterinary Medicine
Research Question: Which vaccines were created in response to the 2015 outbreak of canine influenza, and how have they furthered veterinary medicine today?
Hypothesis: Prevention methods that targeted the 2015 canine influenza have furthered veterinary medicine and will prove to show their significance in battling other canine epidemics.
Background/History of the Issue:
There have been to major outbreaks of canine influenza in the United States, both in 2004 and 2015. The identification of this virus comes from two proteins on the outer layer of the capsid: hemagglutinin and neuraminidase, resulting in the two strains H3N8 and H3N2. The H3N8 virus was identified in 2004 in greyhounds but had originally developed in horses. The H3N2 strain was discovered in 2015 and is theorized to come from South Korea where it was directly transferred from an avian influenza virus to a canine one. It has been found that in 2016, the virus has transferred to cats as well, since it can be transmitted through sneezing, coughing and barking. The most common sign for the infection is consistent coughing for more than 10 days. It is also to take note of nasal/ocular discharge, lethargy, and lack of feeding. Treatment for this virus typically varies on the situation at hand: since most pathogens with canine influenza are viral, antibiotics are usually discouraged, however with more severe symptoms such as mucopurulent discharge along with fever, antibiotics should be considered.The vaccines used for this epidemic do not prevent colonization of the virus, however is lessens the impact of the virus. As of 2010, the United States Department of Agriculture has granted a full license to initiate the Canine Flu H3N8 vaccine. This means that the vaccine is effective and safe to use and is also essential because the spread of the infection and the symptoms have increasingly become more severe. For the most recent strain, H3N2, the US Department of Agriculture approved the first known vaccine in 2015. Both vaccines have proven to lessen the chance of a severe infection.
Rationale: This topic has proven to be increasingly significant in the veterinary medicine world in the past few years. Many are not informed of the severity and the presence of this infection, and how easily it may spread, this is why research on this virus is so crucial. Pet owners often are not aware the virus and do not partake in prevention methods which can easily be completed. Due to this, it is clear that research on prevention methods and vaccines are essential to further veterinary technology to help battle future epidemics. This topic also will allow future responses to outbreaks to be initiated at a faster pace to ensure the safety and health of pets around the world. It is evident that the strain of this virus can spread at a rapid rate, this is exactly why research on it is needed.
Basis of Hypothesis: Since the two strains of canine influenza that have appeared are different, one vaccine cannot prevent infection of the other strain. However, the approved vaccine can lessen the severity of coughing, lung lesions, and viral shedding in canines. This shows that the vaccine is able to prevent a variety of symptoms, and shows that within one year, veterinarians and the USDA have responded to a major outbreak. It is likely that the vaccinations created for the canine influenza, may influence vaccines created to fight other canine epidemics. The exact vaccine cannot be used, however it is possible that similar technology and techniques can be used to resolve future major outbreaks.
Operational Definitions: ● Prevention methods: There are a variety of ways to prevent the spread of this disease, veterinarians mainly begin with basics such as ensuring cleaning and disinfecting protocol. Employees at kennels and veterinary hospitals should make sure to wash their hands and keep all equipment clean. As a last resort which may show to have the strongest impact may be the vaccine. ● Veterinary Medicine: This is the field that deals with prevention, diagnosis and treatment of all non-human animals. In my research, this will further be narrowed to just canines. It will also be referred to the technological advancements dedicated to this field. ● Canine epidemics: There are several other viruses that are common in canines such as the parvovirus, the flu, canine distemper, and leptospirosis. It is possible that similar technology can be used to respond to these infections in canines.
Influenza vaccination: What does the scientific proof say?: Could it be more harmful than useful to vaccinate indiscriminately elderly people, pregnant women, children and health workers?
