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TextCanine Illness Closes Dog Section of Animal Shelter
Fairfax County Police Department
Public Information Office
4100 Chain Bridge Road, Fairfax, Va. 22030
703-246-2253. TTY 703-204-2264. Fax 703-246-4253
FCPD-PIO@fairfaxcounty.gov
www.fairfaxcounty.gov/police
News Release: 09/226/LHC
August 14, 2009
Canine Illness Closes Dog Section of Animal Shelter
Animal Shelter – The Fairfax County Animal Shelter, 4500 West Ox Road, will limit public dog adoptions due to an apparent outbreak of canine influenza that was confirmed Thursday, August 13. The pet adoption event planned for this weekend has been post-poned.
“While this illness is not contagious to humans, it does spread among dogs and we are taking precautions to limit its spread,” according to Karen Diviney, Ph.D, Director of the Animal Shelter. “This illness is generally not life-threatening to dogs, however in some cases dogs can develop severe disease. Anywhere dogs congregate could be potential breeding grounds for the virus.”
There are currently two cases of laboratory-confirmed canine influenza at the Animal Shelter, 12 that were not exposed and 29 that have potentially been exposed to the virus and are being closely monitored for signs of illness.
Similar to strains of the human influenza viruses, there are steps pet owners can take to avoid their pet’s exposure:
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- Temporarily avoid taking your dog to places where dogs gather
- Ask your kennel if they’ve had cases of illness prior to boarding your dog
- If your dog shows symptoms of respiratory illness (such as coughing or wheezing, runny nose or fever), seek veterinary care
- For more information and facts about canine influenza, see www.cdc.gov/flu/canine.
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According to the Centers for Disease Control, there is no evidence of transmission of the virus from dogs to humans, or other household pets.
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