Alert: Canine Flu Outbreak At Pbc Animal Control

[Rene Allegrini]

The local news had this story on the 11pm news last night. ACC is on lockdown for at least a week, no dogs IN no dogs OUT.


Story is here.

WPTV NewsChannel 5

July 1, 2006
Animal Control Director Dianne Sauve is sitting in the hot zone. Even her own dog 'Mana,' who she regularly brings to work, is now in danger of contracting the highly contagious airborne virus called canine flu.

"We knew it wasn't a matter of if this would happen, but when," she says. Two dogs have already tested positive for the virus.

In a shelter which averages 30-thousand canine a year and has a constant revolving door of dogs, the flu has spread quickly. Another six dogs are already showing symptoms.

"I'm very worried, not only for the shelter and our own companion animals but for the pets of Palm Beach County," says Sauve.

Symptoms of the flu include a severe mucous producing cough and very high fever. Humans and cats are immune.

It's fatal in only about three percent of dogs, but is highly contagious. Any dog exposed will become infected.

"The critical message here is there is no vaccine for this virus," says Sauve.

Friday the shelter basically went into lockdown. All dog adoptions and dog sterilizations have been halted for a week.

The facility will go through an extensive cleaning. Staff members will wear special gowns and footwear and take special precautions not to bring the virus home to their own dogs.

"Once they get home, pick an area to change in, immediately put their clothes in the washer."

The big concern is the potential for the virus to spread through the general population of dogs in the county.

Sauve is advising dog owners not to panic, but to be aware, even a routine walk outdoors can lead to infection.

"You need to use a little bit more caution, especially in the near future until we see how this plays out in our community."


Left hand corner for the video

WPTV NewsChannel 5

[Rubyhead]

Thanks so much for posting this. This is the time of year when dogs board and/or go on vacations with their families so it's easier for viruses and such to be transported from one area to another.