Canine Flu Detected in China, Canine Swine Flu Symptoms on the rise

Two dogs in Beijing appeared contaminated with influenza A H1N1, in the second case of animals affected by the pandemic, reported Sunday the Chinese press.

The H1N1 virus detected in dogs is 99% identical to humans posed by contaminated with influenza A, the official Beijing Times reported, citing a report from the Ministry of Agriculture.

The information appears after 10 days in the Chinese province of Heilongjiang four pigs found to be contaminated with the virus, which experts say could have been transmitted by humans.

Other cases of animals infected with the H1N1 virus had been brought before the United States, Canada and Chile.

Earlier this month, in the U.S. state of Iowa, a cat appeared infected by the H1N1 flu in the first case in the world of the pandemic also affecting the feline population.

The World Health Organization (WHO) called for stricter monitoring of people working in contact with their animals as well.

Quoting official sources in the municipal agriculture office in Beijing, the press said the dogs were infected by sick people who were in close contact with animals.