Hawthorn Woods' Bark in the Park postponed due to dog flu

While dog flu doesn't appear to have become entrenched in Lake County, officials in Hawthorn Woods have taken a pre-emptive strike by postponing the popular Bark in the Park.

What would have been the second annual dog- and family-friendly event scheduled for April 25 at Community Park has been delayed as a precaution against the highly contagious virus. No make up date has been scheduled yet.

"We were building a lot of attendance (and) didn't want to have it soured by someone coming out for a good event and have a bad outcome," said Brian Sullivan, director of parks and recreation. "I think everybody understands, and the individuals we've been in contact with have been supportive."

About 300 people filtered through the park during last April's two-hour event that featured a dozen vendors and ancillary activities. Not all visitors brought dogs, but the turnout was a factor in the village's decision.

"With the recent outbreak and continuing spread of the infection in the region, we believe it is in the best interest of the health and well-being of our canine friends in the community to cancel the event," Sullivan said.

The dog flu has been centered in Chicago, although isolated reports have been received in some suburbs and in Wisconsin, said Robyn Barbiers, president of the Anti-Cruelty Society.

"We just canceled our 21st annual fundraiser," she said. Because of the "highly contagious nature" of the virus, iBark in the Park will be a virtual event this year.

It was to have been held May 3 at Montrose Harbor in Chicago.

"It's very, very infectious. Very contagious. Fortunately, most of the animals do just fine," Barbiers said.

Scientists at Cornell University and the University of Wisconsin estimated the flu outbreak afflicting more than 1,000 dogs in Chicago and other parts of the Midwest was caused by a different strain of the virus than earlier assumed.

The Midwest outbreak had been attributed to a virus strain circulating since 2004. However, researchers now think a different strain, which previously had not been detected in North America, is at fault.

Both strains can cause high fever, loss of appetite, coughing, nasal discharged and lethargy, according to Cornell, but symptoms of the new virus may be more severe. That strain also has caused infection and respiratory illness in cats, according to Cornell.

No cases of canine flu have been reported to the Lake County Forest Preserve District. Its four dog parks remain open.

But Haw thorn Woods isn't alone in taking precautions. Central Bark Doggy Day Care in Grayslake on Wednesday planned to offer free two-dose flu vaccinations to its day care customers. Owner Kevin Bloss said no cases have been reported at his facility, but business has slowed.

"This is an attempt to do anything we can do to help," he said. It is not known whether the current vaccine will provide any protection from the new virus.

"The main goal of my partnership with Central Bark is hopefully to inform and educate the public, as well as protect the pets in the area," said veterinarian Peter Hartman of the Valley Lakes Veterinary Clinic in Round Lake. "It's not a guarantee, but it's the best we have right now and hopefully will minimize the effects going forward."

For more, visit the American Veterinary Medical Foundation at avma.org or the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention at cdc.gov.