Several dogs have fallen ill and died or been euthanized in Kuumiut.
This is stated by the Veterinary and Food Authority of Greenland (VFMG) in a press release.
On April 24, the VFMG received a report of deaths due to an infectious disease among sled dogs in Kuummiut, and a total of 16 dogs are reported to have died of the disease, and an additional 5 dogs have been euthanized after showing symptoms.
According to the VFMG, the symptoms indicate that it may be a case of infection with parvovirus, which mainly affects puppies and young dogs. Unvaccinated, adult dogs are also at risk, the authority writes.
Reported suspicions earlier in April
VFMG states that a vaccination campaign and infection control have been launched in collaboration with the authorities in Tasiilaq and the dog vaccinator in Kuummiut.
- VFMG sees no reason to fear that the disease will spread outside Kuummiut, the statement says.
Earlier in April, VFMG states that three puppies in Kuummiut had shown symptoms of infection with parvovirus. At that time, the Veterinary and Food Authority did not fear a major outbreak of the disease.
VFMG states that symptoms of parvovirus include fatigue, fever, lack of appetite, followed by bloody vomiting and bloody diarrhea, dehydration and weight loss.
The disease is often fatal to dogs, but is not contagious to humans, writes VFMG, which also points out that a frequent cause of infection is when unvaccinated puppies roam freely among other dogs.
