Animal Shelter locked down due to threat of Parvovirus outbreak
The Josephine County Animal Shelter is locked down after a dog that was admitted into the shelter tested positive for Canine Parvovirus type two, also known as Parvo.
The infected dog had to be euthanized.
Parvo is highly contagious and is spread by direct or indirect contact with contaminated feces. Parvo either infects the intestinal or cardiac system and can cause sever vomiting and dysentery or respiratory and cardiac failure. Puppies are the most susceptible to the disease.
Vaccines can prevent Parvo infection but mortality rates are as high as 91 percent in untreated cases.
Parvo does not infect humans.
The shelter will be sanitized and dogs will be observed for signs of infection in order to prevent the spread of the disease. The shelter will be reopened on Oct. 23.
Posted on 10/8/12 6:26PM by Jared Dill
