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About The nugget. (Sisters, Or.) 1994-current | View Entire Issue (Feb. 28, 2018)
4 Wednesday, February 28, 2018 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon Canine influenza hits Oregon By Jodi Schneider McNamee Correspondent This year the flu has taken its toll and spread rapidly across the country, killing young and healthy people along the way. The flu is affecting pets, too. Dogs across the country are coming down with flu- like symptoms due to wide- spread canine influenza. The flu strain is different than the one affecting humans. But it’s just as dangerous and even more contagious among dogs. And it can affect cats also. Dogs, like us, are social creatures; and all social dogs, especially those who travel, visit dog parks, doggie day- care, boarding kennels, and grooming facilities – are at risk for contacting the newer highly contagious H3N2 dog flu. The viral infection is spread through barking, coughing, and sneezing when pets are in close contact with infected animals. This canine H3N2 was first identified in the United States in March 2015 fol- lowing an outbreak of respi- ratory illness in dogs in the Chicago area. Veterinarians in and around the Chicago area noticed an increase in the number of dogs coming into their clinics for respira- tory illness. The dogs had symptoms involving the respiratory system including coughing, nasal discharge, and leth- argy. And more severe signs, including pneumonia, were seen in more severe cases. Prior to this, reports of canine H3N2 influenza virus were restricted to South Korea, China, and Thailand. Following the initial diag- nosis in Chicago, more cases of canine influenza were reported in several states. In early 2016, a group of shel- ter cats in Indiana were diag- nosed with H3N2 canine influenza. It is believed the virus was transmitted to them from infected dogs. In May 2017, canine H3N2 influenza was diag- nosed in dogs in Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Texas, K e n t u c k y, Te n n e s s e e , Missouri, Louisiana, and Illinois. This was the same strain of H3N2 involved in the 2015 outbreak in Chicago. “The Canine flu is cur- rently experiencing intense flare-ups in defined geo- graphic locations,” said Amy Glaser, director of the Molecular Diagnostic Laboratory at Cornell’s Animal Health Diagnostic Center. Then this past January the San Francisco SPCA announced that cases of dog flu had been confirmed in the Bay Area and encouraged pet parents to contact their vet- erinarians if their pets display symptoms of the virus. “The outbreak in the Bay Area wasn’t so far south of us,” said Dr. Carl E. Berg, DVM and owner of Sisters Veterinary Clinic. “And now the canine influenza has hit an area in Southern Oregon. The Oregon Veterinary Medical Association recently came out with a statement that said Oregon veterinari- ans should consider vaccinat- ing their patients for canine influenza.” There are currently two strains of canine influenza virus that have been identi- fied in the United States: H3N2 and H3N8. The new vaccine covers both. And the existing strains of dog flu cannot be transmitted to humans. The virus spreads rap- idly, especially at boarding facilities, groomers, doggy daycare, dog parks and other spots where dogs co-mingle. Dr. Berg also noted that the canine influenza is part of the canine respiratory disease complex, such as Bordetella, but is a newer emerging strain. This highly contagious virus that began as an isolated case of respiratory disease in Chicago has now become a nationwide health concern for all dogs. Dr. Dana Bailey, associate veterinarian at Broken Top Veterinary Clinic, said, “We have been informing our cli- ents about canine influenza and that they can receive a flu vaccine for their dog. Right now, it’s not considered a core PHOTO BY JODI SCHNEIDER MCNAMEE Elsie is an older dog who could benefit from a flu shot. vaccine, but rather a non-core or lifestyle vaccine.” Core vaccines are the usual annual vaccines and are recommended for all pets with an unknown vaccina- tion history, as they protect against diseases that infect dogs or cats of all life stages and lifestyles. And non-core vaccines are optional vac- cines that should be consid- ered in light of the exposure risk of the animal. The new flu vaccine is annual, with a booster one month later after the first vaccine. To keep pets safe, more pet-care facilities are now requiring canine influenza vaccinations for all dogs, similar to requirements for Bordetella – another highly contagious respiratory virus. Canine influenza is a highly contagious virus. All it takes is one interaction with an infected dog or infected surface for your pet to con- tract the disease. MEATS • CHEESES • EATERY • DRINKERY 110 S. SPRUCE ST. | 541-719-1186 OPEN EVERY DAY 9 A.M. TO 7 P.M. Rare Opening in Sisters Quilts will express community values On March 9, Sisters Country will begin bringing to life an interactive piece of public art that will showcase the hopes of local residents— in their own words. The Community Values & Visioning signature quilt project invites residents to ink short- to medium-length values statements onto pre- made fabric squares. This spring, those squares will be assembled into a finished quilt, which will be unveiled during the Sisters Outdoor Quilt Show (SOQS). Residents can sign the squares during a series of upcoming Values & Visioning booths to be presented by Citizens4Community in con- cert with the Sisters Country visioning effort. Sentiments collected on the quilt will help inform and guide the visioning effort as that pro- cess looks to help shape the community’s future. There is no cost to sign a quilt square, but the number of squares is limited. Several local nonprofit, business and municipal part- ners are collaborating on the booths and quilt project, including: C4C, East of the Cascades Quilters, Kathy Deg g e n d o r f e r D e s i g n s , SOQS, Stitchin’ Post, Ray’s Food Place, Suttle Tea, Sisters Library, and city and county leaders. The Values & Visioning booths also will feature sur- veys, information-sharing by county and city visioning representatives, giveaways for participants and more. Area residents will be encouraged to answer ques- tions like: “Why would you live here and nowhere else?” and “What is your vision for Sisters Country?” — for example: What initiatives or actions might further strengthen the community? Organizers also hope to launch a youth essay contest as part of the visioning effort. Four Values & Visioning booths are planned: • 2:30 to 6 p.m. Friday, March 9 at Ray’s Food Place. • 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Saturday, March 10 at Ray’s. • 2 to 5:30 p.m. Friday, March 16 at the Sisters Library. • 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Sat., March 17 at Suttle Tea. “The idea is: ‘Let’s Talk, Sisters.’ We want as many people as possible to join the conversation as we envi- sion our future,” said Amy Burgstahler, a C4C board member and a lead coordina- tor for the quilt project and booths. She also is a vision- ing project team member. Given Sisters’ rich textile arts heritage, a community signature quilt seemed like a natural way to “share and commemorate the essential qualities that make Sisters Country, Sisters Country,” B u rg s t a h l e r s a i d . T h e project also fit well with C4C’s mission to encour- age civic engagement, col- laboration and respectful See QUILT PROJECT on page 12 Youth Lacrosse Registration Open Practice days, times, and locations will be announced once the teams have been formed Grades 1-2 (Coed): $75 Grades 3-5 (Girls): $75 Grades 3-4 (Boys): $75 Grades 5-6 (Boys): $125 Grades 6-8 (Girls): $150 Grades 7-8 (Boys): $150 REGISTRATION DEADLINE IS MARCH 1 H’ H View activities & classes, and register online! www.SistersRecreation.com A’ H 1750 W. Mckinney Butte Rd. | 541-549-2091 115 NW Greenwood, Redmond | 541-588-6119 192 E. Tall Fir Ct., Sisters | 541-549-1726 P’ P 182 E. Tall Fir Ct., Sisters | 541-549-1336 D L T | O/O Business Cell (541) 848-3194 “Enriching the lives of those we serve, one day at time” SNO CAP MINI STORAGE Sisters Industrial Park 157 Sisters Park Dr. • 541-549-3575 www.SistersStorage.com • State-of-the-art Security Technology • Sizes from 5x5 to 12x40 • Individual Gate Codes • Long-term Discounts • On-site Manager
