AMES, Iowa (AP) — Experts at Iowa State University in Ames say they expect the highly contagious strain of dog flu that has sickened hundreds of dogs in Chicago to make its way to neighboring Iowa. Dr. Bryce Kibble with the ISU College of Veterinary Medicine tells Des Moines television station KCCI that the canine illness “is probably going to get here at some point.”

Kibble says many dogs have become infected, but not very many die from it. Symptoms include coughing, nasal discharge and watery eyes. Kibble says vaccines for the flu strain are still being developed and are not readily available. Animal welfare groups think this sickness is the same strain that sickened 1,700 dogs in Cook County, Illinois, in an outbreak last year.