Outbreak of Severe Vomiting in Dogs Associated with a Canine Enteric Coronavirus, United Kingdom

• Published in: Emerging infectious diseases Vol. 27; no. 2; pp. 517 - 528
• Main Authors: Radford, Alan D, Singleton, David A, Jewell, Chris, Appleton, Charlotte, Rowlingson, Barry, Hale, Alison C, Cuartero, Carmen Tamayo, Newton, Richard, Sánchez-Vizcaíno, Fernando, Greenberg, Danielle, Brant, Beth, Bentley, Eleanor G, Stewart, James P, Smith, Shirley, Haldenby, Sam, Noble, P-J M, Pinchbeck, Gina L
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States U.S. National Center for Infectious Diseases 01-02-2021; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• Subjects: Animal populations; Animals; canine enteric coronavirus; Care and treatment; Coronavirus Infections - veterinary; Coronavirus, Canine; Coronaviruses; Diagnosis; Disease; Disease Outbreaks; Diseases; Dog Diseases - epidemiology; Dog Diseases - virology; Dogs; Dogs - virology; Electronic health records; enteric infections; Epidemics; Epidemiology; Gastroenteritis; gastrointestinal disease; Genomes; Health aspects; Health surveillance; Immunization; Influenza; Laboratories; Outbreak of Severe Vomiting in Dogs Associated with a Canine Enteric Coronavirus, United Kingdom; Outbreaks; Pathogens; Questionnaires; Sentinel health events; statistical modeling; Trends; United Kingdom - epidemiology; Vomiting; Vomiting - veterinary; United Kingdom; United Kingdom > UK; England; viruses; dogs; United Kingdom; enteric infections; statistical modeling; canine enteric coronavirus; outbreaks; surveillance; syndromic surveillance; gastrointestinal disease; vomiting
• ISSN: 1080-6040; 1080-6059; 1080-6059
• DOI: 10.3201/eid2702.202452

The lack of population health surveillance for companion animal populations leaves them vulnerable to the effects of novel diseases without means of early detection. We present evidence on the effectiveness of a system that enabled early detection and rapid response a canine gastroenteritis outbreak in the United Kingdom. In January 2020, prolific vomiting among dogs was sporadically reported in the United Kingdom. Electronic health records from a nationwide sentinel network of veterinary practices confirmed a significant increase in dogs with signs of gastroenteric disease. Male dogs and dogs living with other vomiting dogs were more likely to be affected. Diet and vaccination status were not associated with the disease; however, a canine enteric coronavirus was significantly associated with illness. The system we describe potentially fills a gap in surveillance in neglected populations and could provide a blueprint for other countries.