[Chat] Deadly Virus Killing Cats

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>From channel 11


Posted by Christine Gray 


 


Deadly Virus Killing Cats At Animal Control Center


Officials: 19 Cats, Kittens Die In Two Weeks


FREDERICK, Md. -- A deadly virus has been killing cats at the animal control
center in Frederick County, officials said. 

Over the past two weeks, 19 cats and kittens have died or been euthanized at
the animal control center because they contracted panleukopenia, more
commonly known as feline <http://www.fda.gov/cvm/con2.htm>  distemper. 

Harold Domer, director of the animal control division, told The Frederick
News-Post that the problem appears to be in the center's triage area, a
separate room where cats without proof of current vaccinations are kept for
two weeks to make sure they don't have a contagious disease like
panleukopenia. 

"It's hard to come to work each morning and have to get updates on how many
cats died overnight," Mr. Domer said. 



 

The animal control center has introduced additional precautions to eliminate
the spread of the virus. 

Anyone entering the triage area must step in a bleach solution to kill any
virus that might be on the floor. When an animal leaves a cage in the triage
area, the cage is taken outside and disinfected. As each set of cages is
given a daily cleaning, a new bucket of bleach solution is used to clean it.
The floors in the triage area are cleaned last so nothing can be taken out
of the room during the cleaning. 

Given all the center's precautions, Domer is unsure how the virus continues
to spread or what more can be done. 

Domer encourages all cat owners to make sure their pets have up-to-date
vaccinations. Indoor cats are less likely to get the virus. 

The center had a similar outbreak for two months during the summer of 2003
that came on suddenly and stopped just as abruptly. 

Other veterinary centers in the county have not seen any increases in
panleukopenia come through their doors.

 

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