Influenza virus isolations from dogs during a human epidemic in Taiwan.

During an islandwide outbreak of human influenza in June and July 1971, throat swabs were taken from dogs and cats in 3 urban communities of Taiwan. Eight influenza isolates were obtained from dogs in July 1971: two were identified as influenza A closely related to the human Hong Kong/68 virus, and one was a strain of influenza type B closely resembling human influenza B virus. The latter is the first such reported isolation from dogs under natural conditions.