KINGSVILLE - - The Ashtabula County Animal Protective League shelter is in full quarantine following an outbreak of the deadly canine virus parvo, which infected 27 puppies and one dog, APL Director Michael Riffe said.

"We are shut down until July 30 with all dogs under quarantine. We will not accept dogs, or adopt-out dogs, until we are sure this outbreak is completely gone," he said.

The first sign of parvo came last week when 15 puppies fell ill. Those puppies were born in a foster home and vaccinated, then brought to the shelter and were given a second round of vaccinations, Riffe said.

"They were healthy puppies, born and vaccinated in the best conditions," he said.

In an effort to contain the virus, 12 other puppies and a 1-year-old dog were euthanized after they, too, tested positive for parvo, Riffe said.

"It can cost hundreds of dollars to treat a dog with parvo, and the disease is usually fatal anyway," he said.

All dogs admitted to the APL shelter are vaccinated for parvo, Riffe said. "But no vaccination is 100-percent foolproof," he said.

Riffe calls the parvo outbreak "a countywide epidemic."

"Local vets are reporting case after case of parvo. So this is something within the area, not just the shelter," Riffe said. "I'm not sure why, but this has hit Ashtabula County hard."

Shelter workers and volunteers are continually scrubbing and disinfecting the walls, cages, floors, dishes and any other object that may have come in contact with the ill dogs, Riffe said.

"Between the loss of (adoptions), labor, disinfectant, bleach and vet bills, I would say this outbreak cost the shelter just under $6,000, so far," Riffe said.

The Trifectant cleanser the shelter uses costs $80 a canister, and Riffe estimates the shelter needs another 20 to 30 gallons of bleach.

Beyond the cost and danger, Riffe said dogs with parvo suffer greatly from the virus.

"The dogs were so sick, there was no way to save them. Parvo is devastating to a dog in every short time," he said.

Devastating in puppies and highly contagious, parvo attacks the lining of the digestive system and causes a disruption in a dog's ability to absorb nutrients or liquids. Symptoms are dramatic and include diarrhea, vomiting and lethargy. Usually, the dogs stop eating and develop a bloody, foul-smelling, liquid stool.