Why are dogs suddenly dying in the island of Camiguin Norte?

The tiny island of Camiguin Norte has a population of more or less 5,000 people, and most of them have pet dogs.

Not a single veterinarian resides here.

In an episode of Born to Be Wild, Dr. Nielsen Donato returned to Camiguin Norte to investigate the recent spate of dog deaths in the island.

Only a day into his visit, Doc Nielsen already spotted the remains of one of the dogs in the river.

After checking up on several dogs that have been ill, with the help of a test kit, Doc Nielsen found that the animals were suffering from the dreaded canine distemper virus.

"Nagkaroon ng outbreak ng isang sakit, nangangamatay yung mga dogs doon," he said.

"Canine distemper virus is airborne. So pag-ubo ng aso, lumilipad yung mga viral particles, yung air droplets. Pag na-inhale yun ng asong mahina-hina yung resistensya, within one week magpapakita na yung sintomas nun," he added.

Distemper is a lethal viral disease that only has around a 50 percent survival rate. Symptoms include watery discharge from the nose and eyes, lethargy, and difficulty in breathing,

There is no cure for distemper.

However, it can be prevented by a vaccine.

Due to the lack of vets in the area, the dogs in Camiguin Norte had not been given the 5-in-1 vaccine that protects dogs from several preventable diseases, including distemper.

"Wala talagang gamot dito eh pero kung malakas ang resistensya nila, at pinapakain niyo ng maganda, eh baka yung katawan nila mismo ang makasurvive dito sa peste na to," Doc Nielsen told the residents.

Even if the afflicted dogs survive distemper, the disease leaves permanent damage on its victims.

If the disease worsens and affects the nervous system, canine survivors will likely always experience twitching and seizures. —Jessica Bartolome/JST, GMA News