A "closed" sign is posted on the gate of the Madison County Humane Society on May 21, 2015, after two dogs died and more than a dozen became sick with what officials fear is a deadly flu virus. Staff photo by Traci Moyer
ANDERSON —Two dogs are dead, and more than a dozen are sick at a local animal shelter, causing officials to test for a deadly flu virus.
On Wednesday, the Madison County Humane Society closed after 17 dogs became sick with upper-respiratory symptoms.
“Right now, we are waiting on test results to come back,” said Carla Condon, manager of the Madison County Humane Society. “We are hoping by Monday we will have more information.”
The canine influenza virus has existed for about 10 years, but a new strain previously seen only in Thailand and other Asian countries emerged recently in the Chicago area. There is no cure, and the highly contagious flu can be deadly to dogs.
“We decided to close to protect the clients and their animals at home, because they could take it back to them, and to protect the animals here that are not affected,” Condon said.
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