Deadly canine virus spreads among strays

Thiruvananthapuram: The animal welfare organisations and community feeders are coming across instances of stray dogs and a few pet dogs being infected with the fatal canine distemper virus (CDV). Deaths of stray dogs due to this virus have been reported from areas like Kovalam while cases are also being reported in areas like Attingal and Pappanamcode.
Corporation officials handling stray dog management confirmed that cases of CDV are being widely reported in the city. One dangerous aspect of this disease is the manner in which infected animals continue to shed virus even after recovery in some rare cases. The virus spreads by aerosol transmission. “Stray dogs have the habit of sniffing at the gates of houses and pet dogs usually chase them away and sniff the gates. This would expose the dogs to infection if they are not vaccinated,”,a vet said.
Initial symptoms include discharge of pus from eyes and nose and later the dog suffers from uncontrolled muscle jerks which shows that the nervous system has been affected. “It is a very fatal disease and it spreads at a fast rate. Stray dogs are rarely vaccinated and this results in high chances of infection spreading. Once infected, even after recovery, the dog will be a carrier and extreme measures are needed to curb the spread,” said a city based dog lover.
The canines in the zoo were administered with a multi component canine distemper vaccine. The authorities are ensuring booster doses to keep the animals safe from viral infection and had managed to obtain ferret distemper vaccine from Etawah lion safari.