An outbreak of canine parvovirus, a highly infectious disease that can be deadly for dogs, has struck in in South Lake Tahoe.

The South Lake Tahoe Human Society has advised of an outbreak of Parvovirus in South Lake Tahoe. As a precaution, the South Lake Tahoe Parks Department has closed the Dog Park located on Al Tahoe Blvd. to thoroughly clean the park as a precautionary measure to prevent further outbreaks under the recommendation of the South Lake Tahoe Humane Society. The park will remain closed for 7-10 days after cleaning as recommended.

Per the Lake Tahoe Humane Society, 11 cases of Parvovirus have been seen in the past 10 days.

Per the Amercian Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), Canine parvovirus is a highly contagious viral disease that can produce a life-threatening illness. The virus attacks rapidly dividing cells in a dog’s body, most severely affecting the intestinal tract. Parvovirus also attacks the white blood cells, and when young animals are infected, the virus can damage the heart muscle and cause lifelong cardiac problems. The general symptoms of parvovirus are lethargy, severe vomiting, loss of appetite and bloody, foul-smelling diarrhea that can lead to life-threatening dehydration.

For additional questions, please contact the Lake Tahoe Humane Society & SPCA if they have any questions or concerns 530-542-2857