St. Louis animal shelter reopens after parvovirus outbreak

On May 19, the St. Louis County Animal Care and Control Adoption Center reopened to the public after a parvovirus outbreak forced a temporary shutdown and the euthanization of 19 dogs. At the end of April, multiple cases of the highly contagious disease were detected in the shelter, forcing the staff to close and impose a quarantine and isolation period on the animals. The facility was also thoroughly cleaned up and decontaminated. While the shelter was closed, staff members hosted some animals in their homes.
Canine parvovirus is a highly contagious virus that attacks white blood cells and the gastrointestinal tract.  All dogs are susceptible to it, but puppies, unvaccinated dogs, and certain breeds like Rottweilers and German shepherds are at a greater risk. This is not the first time the St. Louis County shelter had to close due to a parvovirus outbreak – a similar incident in 2022 also forced a temporary shutdown.