An outbreak of canine disease was found in the municipal shelter for stray dogs. This was announced by the deputy mayor of the Kyustendil Municipality Kristiyan Ivanchov and Dr. Polina Chavdarova, manager of the shelter.
To date, 39 dogs have been diagnosed with the disease in the shelter. Individual treatments were undertaken for each of them. Some are cured and some are recovering. Due to the development of the disease, 12 dogs died.
"The spread of the disease is under control. On the fifth day, we have no new cases of measles on the territory of the shelter," Ivanchov pointed out. He clarified that there is no danger for domestic dogs that are regularly vaccinated.
The first case is from October 24. It was established that the infection most likely entered with a dog admitted to the shelter at the beginning of October. The dog had very poor health indicators, many diseases and died.
The sick animal's chip was analyzed, as a result of which it was established that the dog had a chip from North Macedonia. It was established on the territory of Kyustendil municipality.
The disease is highly contagious, it spreads to all animals of the dog family. The virus is transmitted by airborne droplets. The incubation period is between 3 and 20 days. The disease is characterized by fever, inflammation of the mucous membrane and high temperature.
It occurs in three forms, and the treatment is difficult and prolonged. Prevention is carried out by administering a vaccine. At the moment, in view of the measures taken, the castration of dogs in the shelter and the taking in of four-legged animals have been stopped, BTA clarifies.