Evidence of avian-like H9N2 influenza A virus among dogs in Guangxi, China

- It is the first time we reported the H9N2 influenza viruses isolated from dogs in southern China.
- Genetic analysis of an isolation revealed that it is closely related to avian H9N2 virus with a novel genotype.
- This virus strain is discovered as the causative agent of the infectious canine by following epidemiologic studies.
- An appropriate countermeasure is urgently needed.

We reported for the first time the isolation of H9N2 influenza virus from dogs in southern China. Genetic analysis of an isolate revealed that it was a novel genotype closely related to avian H9N2 virus. Epidemiologic studies demonstrated that the new H9N2-subtype virus was the causative agent of a disease in canine. Therefore, an appropriate countermeasure is urgently needed.