60 dogs dead after distemper outbreak, Strays mainly infected by the highly contagious virus in many areas across the Kingdom

Canine distemper, an aggressive virus strain causing a fatal disease in dogs, has broken out in the Kingdom, and has claimed at least 60 canines, according to an animal welfare group.

Vets say distemper is a highly contagious viral disease that affects dogs and some other animals in the canine family. “It has no known cure and often leads to death.”

The virus can also affect humans, but hardly ever causes any illness and has no symptoms. However, humans who have been vaccinated against measles are also protected from distemper.

It’s airborne, but it can also spread from dog to dog through direct contact of an infected dog’s saliva, blood or urine.

Speaking to Tribune, Cheryl Nielson, founder of animal welfare group Bahrain Dumped Dogs, said the outbreak has been rampant since May and almost all deaths have been reported from Askar.

Meanwhile, animal welfare activists told Tribune that an event organized recently, contributed greatly to worsening of the outbreak.

According to the activists, a dog carrying the virus was neutered at the Catch, Neuter, Release(CNR) tent event which was conducted in Riffa. The virus soon spread to other dogs present there, they said.

The event was organized by an international group which provided free neutering.