Police K9-unit hit by virus
In the latest outbreak, a loss of 45 puppies have been reported.
An outbreak of canine parvovirus has been reported at the SAPS K9-unit academy in Roodeplaat.
It is the second such outbreak in less than a year.
In 2019, the parvovirus affected 120 puppies, eventually causing the death of 75 puppies.
In the latest outbreak, a loss of 45 puppies has been reported as with eight puppies that died suddenly and 37 euthanised.
Colonel Brenda Muridili this week, said a police task team was working tirelessly to stop the spread of the virus at the facility.
Muridili said the SAPS Roodeplaat veterinary hospital, situated at the academy, noticed on 15 June, that puppies brought in for consultation were lethargic and clearly not well.
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“It became a concern when the treatment that was being administered to the puppies appeared to be ineffective. This prompted the management of the hospital to have samples tested at an independent laboratory, which samples subsequently tested positive for canine parvovirus.”
Police veterinary services notified the academy’s management of the findings and immediately recommended quarantine measures, as previously implemented during the 2019 parvovirus outbreak, be enforced to contain the spread of the virus despite the primary vaccination of the puppies aged 6, 8 and 12 weeks.
Veterinary services head at SAPS Roodeplaat veterinary hospital, Brigadier Letshuti Phele was, however, optimistic that the current outbreak had been contained.
“Even though parvovirus has no specific treatment, our primary focus is to maintain sick puppies on supportive treatment, general nursing care and strict isolation to boost the immune system and minimise the spread of the parvovirus while an internal investigation is being held to determine the source of the outbreak,” said Phele.
Muridili said they were looking at long-term sustainable solutions to the common occurrence of canine contagious diseases at the breeding units.
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“Dog handlers prioritise the maintenance of strict bio-security, standard hygiene protocols and limited access to the facility to ensure that members who interact with dogs do not unwittingly become carriers of deadly viruses on and off the premises.
“We are confident that the veterinary services has responded swiftly to the outbreak of the virus.”
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