Forgive those who will receive this more than once, but it is vital that everyone is aware since ferrets are susceptible to canine distemper! City of Los Angeles L. A. Animal Services/ LAAnimalServices.com 419 South Spring Street, 14th Floor, Los Angeles, California 90013 CONTACT: Jackie David FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:(213) 473-7513 March 22, 2002 DISTEMPER OUTBREAK IN LOS ANGELES L.A. Animal Services and L.A. County's Veterinary Public Health declared a distemper outbreak in Los Angeles with both agencies recommending distemper vaccinations for all dogs. Canine distemper is a highly contagious, systemic, worldwide, viraldisease of domestic dogs and susceptible wildlife. It is caused by a virusclosely related to the measles virus and is transmitted through theair(airborne) or through droplet exposure from the nasal cavity, pharynxand lungs. It cannot be transmitted from animals to humans. Over the years, distemper has caused the death or permanent disability ofmore young dogs than any other disease. "Distemper can be very dramatic in its presentation causing respiratory, gastrointestinal and neurological symptoms," says L.A. Animal ServicesChief Veterinarian, Dr. Casandria Smith. "The course of the disease can bedays to weeks characterized by fever, nasal and ocular discharge,depression, anorexia, convulsions, seizures and death. It is physically devastating to the animal and emotionally devastating to animal guardians."Concern began when both agencies noted increasing reports of sick and dying raccoons - the latest coming from the foothills above Sherman Oaks.Distemper was confirmed through laboratory tests performed on a deadraccoon taken from the Sherman Oaks area. Animals susceptible to distemper include coyotes, foxes, wolves, ferrets,skunks, raccoons, mink, leopards, lions and tigers.In his report, "Canine Distemper Encephalitis in Local Raccoon,"Veterinary Public Health and Rabies Control Chief, Dr. Patrick Ryan, underscored the importance of identifying and tracking animal disease as a precautionagainst possible terrorist attacks: "As discussed earlier, improving surveillance of biological terrorist attacks that target the community requires the upgrading of detection and reporting of animal diseases. This includes collecting data on the morbidity and mortality of domestic animals and wildlife. Most bio-terrorism agents are animal diseases. In the event of abio-terrorist attack, early detection and identification of these agents isessential in making critical decisions regarding deployment of community resources."Dr. Smith reminds pet owners that canine distemper can be controlledthrough distemper vaccinations and adds "It is crucial to your animal's health to check with your private veterinarian on a regular basis for infectious diseases and guidance."L.A. Animal Services offers Low-Cost Clinics that provide vaccinations costing anywhere from $5 to $12. These Clinics are offered citywide and year-round and are made possible through the city's partnership with the Southern California Veterinary Medical Association. Kim Wolf Mystyx Samoyeds, Ferrets and Rescue of Galloway, Ohio www.mystyxcritters.com www.mystyxrescue.petfinder.org [Posted in FML issue 3733]