[Mike]

Local television news here in Elmira New York recently ran stories on
a “new, more virulent” form of “parvo virus.” Parvo is a very
dangerous, highly deadly virus effecting only the intestinal tracts of
dogs, most usually fatal to puppies.

Local verterinarians have contacted the news departments of these
stations and have received no answer as to the source of their
information. The vets also report thay have received no information
from “usual channels,” any from among numerous state and other
agencies which routinely circulate warnings of new, emergent or
epidemic conditions as they arise.

None the less, an unusual number of dogs around the area have died
mysterious and horrific deaths, resembling a “hemorrhagic fever”
condition which has simply been labeled a “new strain of parvo” by the
press.

I happened to be present when one such unfortunate animal showed up at
a local clinic where my wife volunteers. The animal was perfectly
normal at 8 AM and dead by 6 PM. This occured several weeks before the
recent press pronouncement. Fortunately, the veterinarian routinely
provided Cornell Veterinary Hospital with two liver samples and a
sample of the intestine for analysis. Unfortunately, these do not
usually reveal the presence of parvo or related, unless the intestinal
sample happens to contain the virus (not a given) or there is enough
blood in any of the samples sufficient to test. (which the vet doubts)

This vet also seeks from Cornell any information relating to the press
announcement, or an investigation of the latter, if they too are
cluless as to why the press would make such a statement.

I Will keep this forum updated if any further information comes along.
For now all we know is an inordinate number of rapid, hemmorrhagic
deaths have occured in the local dog population, and no provable cause
has been identified.

Cliff Jones
Horseheads, New York