Health officials: Dog flu may be in King County

SEATTLE (AP) - Health officials in Seattle are warning that a new strain of dog flu that sickened at least 2,000 dogs in 25 states since last spring may be in King County.

The Seattle Times reports (http://bit.ly/1l4aE7e ) that officials say a suspected outbreak at a Kent kennel that hit dozens of dogs appears to be contained.

Worries about the H3N2 canine influenza virus, first seen in the United States in Chicago last March, were sparked sick dogs at Holiday Kennels in Kent in late December.

Operator Bret Gagliardi says several dogs developed flulike symptoms. Health officials say up to 90 dogs may have been affected.

Kennel cough, a common ailment, was suspected until a dog that stayed at the kennel traveled to Georgia and visited two dogs. Those dogs later tested positive for H3N2. Now, test results are pending from two dogs that may have been sickened at the kennel.

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Information from: The Seattle Times, http://www.seattletimes.com