‘Time is critical’: Ontario charity warning about deadly outbreak impacting dogs

A local animal charity is sounding the alarm of a deadly outbreak of parvovirus in a London, Ont., housing complex after several dogs have been infected.

A local animal charity is sounding the alarm of a deadly outbreak of parvovirus in a London, Ont., housing complex after several dogs have been infected.

Linda Armstrong, board chair of Progressive Animal Welfare Services, says they were first alerted to the outbreak through an anonymous social media post.

After looking into the outbreak, Armstrong says the charity learned at least two dogs have died and several others have been infected in an apartment complex at 345 to 349 Wharncliffe Rd., impacting 250 residencies.

Parvovirus is highly contagious and only affects dogs, but can be fatal in up to 80 per cent of cases, Armstrong warns.

“It’s somewhat similar to COVID in people, although certainly not as widespread. But this could spread to the whole community if we don’t tackle the outbreak. There is no specific protocol for handling such an outbreak.”

There is a vaccine to protect dogs, but Armstrong says the costs of full protection can be upwards of $250.

The virus is passed from dog to dog, or humans can pass it to dogs from another infected pet, but it can also be passed to dogs by coming in contact with it on a surface.

The virus can survive for weeks indoors and months outdoors.