A RARE, highly contagious and lethal dog virus has broken out in a number of close-knit neighbouring communities in West Cornwall.

Five dogs have died since last week and another is in a serious condition after being diagnosed with what is believed to be a particularly virulent strain of Canine Parvovirus.

The first case was reported in Redruth, but since then the virus has struck a number of animals in the travellers' communities around Redruth, St Day, Carharrack and Lanner.

Police and vets are urging dog owners to be vigilant in order to contain the outbreak and take their pets for treatment the moment they start displaying any symptoms.

"This seems to be a very strong form of the virus that we are dealing with," said PC Greg Dawson, who is based at Redruth. "We had the first case about a week ago and since then we have had six cases confirmed. There is also another dog who is being treated at the moment.

"It is a very virulent disease which spreads quickly among dogs and we want owners to be aware of it and have their dogs inoculated.

"Owners are getting very upset about this, of course, because people love their dogs."

PC Dawson, who is the gypsy and traveller liaison officer, said a number of cases have been confirmed in the traveller community in the affected zone.

"They have been unlucky. It's probably a dog which has just come on to the site and brought the virus.

"The first case was reported in Redruth, but since then the traveller community has subsequently suffered a number of cases."

The officer said the virus may have spread to animals in the community because of the different way dogs are perceived and treated in traveller culture.

"The dogs are kept outside, they never go in the caravans. They are used for guarding purposes and they often just tend to roam further."

Canine Parvovirus – known often simply as "parvo" – is a nasty disease which can spread from dog to dog or through contact with dog faeces.

It attacks the intestinal system, causing severe sickness and diarrhoea, and puppies are most at risk from infection.

The virus can stay active in faeces for months, although it can be killed with simple, household bleach. Sharon Cole, a vet with Truro-based Cornwall Veterinary Emergency Treatment, has been helping police. She said dogs were usually inoculated against the virus and owners should ensure their pets were up to date with booster jabs.

"As far as we can tell at the moment, this is quite a powerful form of the disease

"It is a very distressing disease for the animals," she said.

Ms Cole said it could be difficult to deal with because dogs can be infected with the virus but not show any symptoms and still be able to pass it on to other animals.

In the past, the virus has been known to mutate and infect cats as well, she said.

Any dog owner whose pet suddenly develops severe sickness and diarrhoea and will not eat or drink should be taken to a vet for treatment as soon as possible.