The world’s first known dog to contract swine flu has been confirmed by authorities in New York. The diagnosis has stunned medical professionals who still do not know how the dog caught the virus.

Previous information indicated that there is no evidence humans can transmit swine flu to their pets. The H1N1 virus in New York is the only case of influenza in the country among dogs. The canine is a 13-year old boy who is a mixed-breed mutt, his owner has contracted the virus and allegedly past it on to his pet.

According to startribune.com, both of them are recovering, now the science community is scrambling to reassure owners off pets that such cases are rare. The dog began to suffer from breathing difficulties and a doctor decided to have the pet tested as he knew the owner was suffering from the virus.

Source postchronicle.com.