WASHINGTON COUNTY, MD - The Humane Society of Washington County has temporarily closed their cat adoption and housing units due to a contagious disease outbreak.

They issued the following release:

“Due to an outbreak of panleukopenia, a gastrointestinal disease affecting felines, the cat adoption and housing units at the Humane Society of Washington County (HSWC) will be closed until further notice.

Often referred to as Panleuk or Feline Distemper, the disease is very aggressive, highly contagious and potentially fatal.  In an effort to contain the disease, the cat adoption area and housing units are closed.  They will remain closed until it is deemed safe to reopen them to the public.

The disease was brought into the shelter by a stray cat.  "That means the disease is in the outside cat population," stated Paul Miller, Executive Director of the HSWC.  He added, "The public must be aware of the potential for their own cats to pick up the disease if they let their personal pets outside around other cats."  The HSWC is asking people to not bring their personal cats to the shelter until it is determined the disease is no longer at the facility.

Symptoms of the disease are weakness, lethargy, vomiting, dehydration and diarrhea.  If your cat displays any of the above symptoms owners are strongly urged to contact their veterinarian immediately.   The disease does not respond to common disinfectants such as Lysol, Listerine or alcohol; only fire, which means burning the infected area, and a dilute bleach solution (1 part bleach to 32 parts water) can destroy the virus.

Panleuk is spread through direct contact with an infected cat's body secretions such as urine, feces vomit or by "fomites" which are items that can absorb the virus such as clothing, shoes, bedding or outdoor areas such as grass.  The virus can live in the environment for up to a year or longer.  It is recommended the best way to avoid the disease is to have your cats regularly vaccinated.  Although highly contagious between cats, the virus is not contagious to humans.”