Los Angeles County's Department of Animal Care and Control (DACC) has found itself grappling with an unexpected adversary at the Baldwin Park Animal Care Center – a Strep Zoo outbreak. The bacterial villain in this scenario, Streptococcus Equi subsp zooepidemicus, typically keeps to horses, cattle, and pigs, but has hopped species and is now threatening canine residents, according to the DACC release. Particularly at risk are immunocompromised dogs, those poor pups facing the stressful shelter life may develop severe pneumonia with little to no warning signs.
In response to this microscopic menace, the Baldwin Park ACC has kicked into high gear. New protocols have been rapidly deployed to curb the transmission – among them, sidestepping any new intakes by rerouting strays and surrendered dogs to other care centers. This includes the sister facilities in Downey and Carson. The cleanliness standards would put a surgeon's operating room to shame, while treatment protocols for Upper Respiratory Infection (URI) are being administered with antibiotic fervor.
What about those looking to adopt? One can't simply waltz in and cuddle every canine within arm's reach anymore. The center has placed a limit – one dog, one time, per visit – in an attempt to prevent accidental bacterial hitchhiking, as detailed in the DACC’s recent announcement. Potential adopters, those reclaiming lost pets, and rescue organizations are all being briefed on the potential risk of Strep Zoo exposure. Knowledge is power, but in this case, it's also a form of containment.
