A DOGS trust has closed to the public as one of its dogs has showed signs a serious viral infection.

A canine at Evesham Dogs Trust is believed to have distemper, a contagious and serious viral illness with no known cure.

The disease causes the dog to have a fever, lack of appetite and pneumonia similar to the human illness measles, although humans cannot catch the disease.

It is potentially fatal and is now extremely rare, due to vaccinations introduced in the 1950s. However, it remains a risk to dogs who do not have up to date vaccinations.

It is typically passed on through contact in the saliva of an infected dog when it coughs or sneezes, but Dogs Trust Evesham say that all other pooches are currently well.

A spokesman for the Dogs Trust said: "One of the dogs at our Evesham Rehoming centre has started to show potential signs of Distemper – a viral infection affecting dogs which is occasionally serious.

"As a precaution, we have closed the rehoming centre to ensure the health of other dogs on site.

"The dog recently came to us from another organisation, and has been in a confined area of the centre since arrival. We’d like to stress that all other dogs on site are currently well, and we are keeping a very close eye on them. We apologise to those planning on visiting our centre. Anyone with questions please call 0303 003 0000.”

It is hoped that the centre could re-open later this week.