AHeinz57 Quarantine Update
DES MOINES, Iowa (Sept. 6, 2019) - We know animal lovers all over central Iowa have been following the Canine Brucellosis quarantine at AHeinz57. All of the dogs at AHeinz57, including the 31 dogs connected to the distribution sale on May 4 and the 40 rescues in the back of the facility, were tested for Canine Brucellosis this week. Test results received today from Cornell University Animal Health Diagnostic Center showed a dog at AHeinz57, named Frankie, that is connected with the dispersal sale on May 4 has tested positive for Canine Brucellosis.
The 40 dogs in the back of the facility have been separated from the sale dogs since mid-May and they all tested negative for Canine Brucellosis. Based on these test results, the Department of Agriculture has released the quarantine on these 40 dogs in the back of the AHeinz57 facility.
Test results from Cornell University Animal Health Diagnostic Center also showed a positive Slide Agglutination test and a negative AGID II test for one of the sale dogs named Zane. Because Zane is positive on the Slide Agglutination test and another sale dog tested positive on the Slide Agglutination and AGID II test, Zane is also considered positive.
The other 29 sale dogs will remain quarantined for at least 60 days due to a confirmed positive within the sale dog population. The Department is working with AHeinz57 to explore options to isolate the quarantined sale dogs on the property so they can regain use of the rest of their facility as soon as possible.
Background
- Canine Brucellosis is a zoonotic bacterial disease that can be transmitted to humans and other animals through contaminated bodily fluids.
- The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship does not require Canine Brucellosis-positive dogs to be euthanized. A Canine Brucellosis-positive dog will be quarantined in its current facility for life to prevent other people or dogs from unknowingly being exposed. The Department will continue to work with AHeinz57 and their veterinarian to provide information they can use to make informed decisions going forward.
- To date, 11 of the 200 dogs connected to the dispersal sale on May 4 have tested positive for Canine Brucellosis. Fourteen locations in Iowa, including a commercial breeder, rescues and shelters, remain quarantined.