SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- Dozens of cats at the Sacramento Pound were in quarantine Sunday to undergo testing for a highly contagious and potentially fatal disease.

Several of the cats became sick at Animal Care Services Center on Front Street. One cat died and tested positive for panleukopenia, commonly called panluek, a virus that can cause vomiting, diarrhea and sudden death in cats.

More than 100 cats are being tested for the virus. It is estimated nearly half may have to be put to sleep. It was not immediately reported as to how the cats were affected.

The shelter is usually closed on weekends, but workers will use the time to disinfect the cat area.

If you recently adopted a cat from the Sacramento city shelter on Front Street, you are urged to contact the shelter immediately.

Anyone wanting to surrender a cat is asked to do so at the county shelter or the Society For The Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.