Dog Flu Hits Philadelphia

PHILADELPHIA - Two Philadelphia animal shelters are under quarantine because of the deaths of six dogs.

The Pennsylvania Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals has locked down shelters in the Juniata and Hunting Park sections of Philadelphia "until further notice."

Officials say six dogs have died since last Wednesday after coming down with what may possibly be canine influenza. Four dogs have been euthanized.

Blood samples from the infected dogs have been sent to a laboratory for testing. Results are expected by Thursday.

"We're not adopting dogs out at this point. Mostly because, we don't know what's causing it. We don't know how contagious it is and we certainly don't want to spread whatever it is into the greater community," says PSPCA medical director Rachel Lee.

Lee says the dogs exhibited severe symptoms characteristic of the respiratory infection.

The symptoms are much like those of influenza affecting humans: cough, runny nose and fever.