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Experts: NY dog is 1st in nation with swine flu

By By The Associated Press

Story Created: Dec 22, 2009 at 1:52 PM EST

Story Updated: Dec 22, 2009 at 1:52 PM EST

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. (AP) - Experts say a dog in suburban New York is the nation's first confirmed to be carrying the same strain of swine flu that is infecting humans.

American Veterinary Medical Association spokesman Michael San Filippo said Tuesday that the diagnosis of the 2009 H1N1 virus was confirmed at two labs.

The 13-year-old mixed-breed male is recovering. He was taken to the Katonah Bedford Veterinary Center in Bedford Hills on Dec. 13.

Medical Director David Sachs says he had the dog tested for swine flu because its owner previously had the virus.

Animals can carry and spread flu viruses, but Dr. Anne Schuchat of the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says "this is not a reason to be concerned" because these cases are rare.

(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

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