A Gwinnett County animal shelter will be closed until Dec. 17 to prevent the spread of Streptococcus zooepidemicus, also known as Strep Zoo.
The Bill Atkinson Animal Welfare Center paused adoptions earlier this week after the sudden death of three canines in the center’s care starting on Nov. 29.
The county and the Georgia Department of Agriculture (GDOA) tested to determine the cause, identifying Strep Zoo.
Symptoms in dogs include severe respiratory distress, nasal discharge, vomiting, and a rapid decline in health within the first 24-48 hours and can be fatal without intervention.
Antibiotics are effective due to its bacterial nature but early diagnosis is key, Gwinnett County said in a press release.
Strep Zoo can be transferred between animals and humans, although human cases are very rare.
During this time, Gwinnett will continue to process pet reclaims. It will also allow the intake of sick, injured, or aggressive animals for the safety of the community.
