UPDATE MONDAY: We now have answers to some of the questions KMOX asked the Animal Care and Control spokesman Mitchell Finnegan.
Q Doctor Cunninham said, the first case of Parvovirus in the shelter was on April 19th. So why wasn't it reported until April 30th?
A "The first positive case of Parvovirus was identified on Saturday, April 19th. According to our veterinary staff and the University of Florida Shelter Medicine program, the incubation period from time of exposure to onset of clinical disease ranges from 2 to 14 days, which likely accounts for the delayed rise in positive cases."
Q Are new admissions immediately tested specifically for parvo, before being placed with the regular pet population?
A "It is not standard practice to test for Parvo upon intake. Parvo tests can be recommended at the onset of any clinical symptoms including sudden fever, vomiting, or diarrhea."
Q Does County Animal Care and Control intend to open as soon as Monday and if so, is that adequate time for the shelter to be thoroughly deep cleaned and sanitized?
A -"No, the adoption center will not be open on Monday. We are currently evaluating a safe process to reopen to the public."
Q Why is the Director of Animal Care and Control Doctor Douglas Pernikoff, a veterinarian not providing the press briefings? While Doctor Cunningham heads up Public Health that oversees Animal Care and Control operations, wouldn't a veterinarian have more knowledge of health matters that deal with animals?
A "It is standard process to have a Department Head handle a media briefing of this level. Dr. Cunningham receives regular updates from the veterinary staff at the adoption center."
Q What is the name of the second veterinarian on staff at the Shelter?
So far, KMOX does not have an answer to that question yet.
ST. LOUIS (KMOX) - Saint Louis County Executive Doctor Sam Page and Director of County Public Health Doctor Kanika Cunningham held a joint press conference on the Parvo outbreak at the County's Animal Care and Control shelter. Page called it the worst parvo outbreak St. Louis County has ever had.
On Wednesday, KMOX interviewed the non veterinarian Deputy Director of Public Health Doctor Landrus Burress who said the five dogs with Parvovirus was not considered an outbreak. As of Sunday, at least 19 dogs have been euthanized since Wednesday.
KMOX asked about the process for new admissions such as were all animals screened for Parvo before being allowed into the regular animal population.
Burress tells us there's an intake process where vaccination status is checked. However, it is not clear how that is determined when a stray dog is picked up or brought into the shelter with no history available.
We found out Sunday that the first dog tested positive for the highly contagious Parvo disease on April 19th, but the health department did not report it until Wednesday, April 30th. Again, KMOX was advised on Wednesday, this was not an outbreak "only a few dogs" had it. And that the shelter was going to open Friday, May 2nd. The shelter did not open on Friday.
In a news release Friday, Doctor Kanika Cunningham says they sought outside veterinarian advice on how to deal with the outbreak from "the University of Florida shelter medicine program, the Association of Shelter Veterinarians Guidelines, and other resources on how to contain this virus."
In that same release Cunningham said "We're working diligently to get healthy dogs out to rescues while staff members are also temporarily fostering healthy animals. We are ensuring vaccinations in dogs and are closely monitoring the eight positive cases. Unfortunately, we can't take the chance of spreading that Parvo to the entire facility and it is with deep sorrow that I share that we have had to humanely euthanize 19 dogs, who have tested positive for Parvo and were showing clinical symptoms."
Following today's (Sunday) press conference KMOX has asked the Department of Public Health communications director to provide answers to the following questions:
1) Doctor Cunninham said, the first case of Parvovirus in the shelter was on April 19th. So why wasn't it reported until April 30th?
2) Are new admissions immediately tested specifically for parvo, before being placed with the regular pet population.
3) Does County Animal Care and Control intend to open as soon as Monday and if so, is that adequate time for the shelter to be thoroughly deep cleaned and sanitized?
4) Why is the Director of Animal Care and Control, a veterinarian, Doctor Douglas Pernikoff, not providing the press briefings? While Doctor Cunningham heads up Public Health that overseas Animal Care and Control operations, wouldn't a veterinarian have more knowledge of health matters that deal with animals?
Information about Doctor Pernikoff is limited: He has a business located at 17533 Summit View Pl. Drive in Glencoe, Missouri. His Linked in profile, has the following:
Founder and CEO of Beneficial Biome Solutions Inc., Co-Founder and COO of St. Louis Canna Collective. Founder and CEO of BTR, PC, DBA Clarkson-Wilson Veterinary Clinic over a 26-year time period. Founder and CEO of non-profit Veterinary Pet Rescue, Inc. over 11-year time period. Multiple board/consulting positions related to human and animal health and other business sectors. Global lecturer and mentor related to conservation and animal health care.
Nowhere on Pernikoff's profile does it mention he's is the director of St. Louis County Animal Care and Control.
The following information and link is from the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA):
How can I protect my dog against canine parvovirus?
Vaccination and other preventive measures—including good hygiene—are key to avoiding canine parvovirus infection. https://www.avma.org/resources-tools/pet-owners/petcare/canine-parvovirus
