Mystery Respiratory Illness Among Dogs Spreads to More US States

Mystery Respiratory , Illness Among Dogs , Spreads to More US States.

'Newsweek' reports that dogs across the United States have fallen sick with a mystery illness called Atypical Canine Infectious Respiratory Disease Complex (aCIRDC).

The cause of aCIRDC, which has now been reported in at least 19 states, remains unknown.

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Most recently, cases have been reported in Maine, North Dakota and Texas.

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Other states to report cases include Washington state, Vermont, Rhode Island, Pennsylvania, Oregon, Nevada, .

New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Maryland, Indiana, Illinois, Idaho, Georgia, Florida, Colorado and California.

A spokesperson for the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service said the agency , "is currently working with multiple state animal health officials and diagnostic laboratories regarding reports of respiratory illness in dogs that, in rare cases, has progressed rapidly to death.".

A spokesperson for the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service said the agency , "is currently working with multiple state animal health officials and diagnostic laboratories regarding reports of respiratory illness in dogs that, in rare cases, has progressed rapidly to death.".

Spokesperson Mike Stepien told 'Newsweek' that the agency has, "not yet definitively identified the cause of illness.".

The mystery disease was first reported in Oregon earlier in 2023, with over 200 reports largely focused around the Portland area.

As a result of the unknown illness, several annual dog events were canceled over fears of the disease spreading and health officials have warned owners to limit dog socializing.

As a result of the unknown illness, several annual dog events were canceled over fears of the disease spreading and health officials have warned owners to limit dog socializing.

Symptoms reportedly include sneezing, watery eyes, cough, fever and lethargy, while more extreme cases can lead to pneumonia and even death.

At this point in time, I don't think there is reason for extreme alarm.

I do think it's a time to be cautious and to stay informed, Deborah Silverstein, Professor and veterinarian at the University of Pennsylvania, via 'New York Times'