Cowpox in zoo and wild animals in the United Kingdom.

J Comp Pathol. July 2023;204(0):39 - 46.

Taiana Costa¹, Mark F Stidworthy², Rosina Ehmann³, Daniela Denk⁴, Ian Ashpole⁵, Gabby Drake⁶, Iuliana Maciuca⁷, Gudrun Zoeller⁸, Hermann Meyer⁹, Julian Chantrey¹⁰

¹ School of Veterinary Science, University of Liverpool, Chester High Road, Neston, Liverpool CH64 7TE, UK.; ² International Zoo Veterinary Group, Station House, Parkwood Street, Keighley BD21 4NQ, UK.; ³ Bundeswehr Institute of Microbiology, Neuherbergstraße 11, 80937 Munich, Germany.; ⁴ International Zoo Veterinary Group, Station House, Parkwood Street, Keighley BD21 4NQ, UK.; ⁵ Chester Zoo, Upton-by-Chester, Chester CH2 1EU, UK.; ⁶ Chester Zoo, Upton-by-Chester, Chester CH2 1EU, UK.; ⁷ School of Veterinary Science, University of Liverpool, Chester High Road, Neston, Liverpool CH64 7TE, UK.; ⁸ Bundeswehr Institute of Microbiology, Neuherbergstraße 11, 80937 Munich, Germany.; ⁹ Bundeswehr Institute of Microbiology, Neuherbergstraße 11, 80937 Munich, Germany.; ¹⁰ Institute of Infection, Veterinary and Ecological Science (IVES), University of Liverpool, Leahurst Campus, Neston CH64 7TE, UK. Electronic address: chantrey@liv.ac.uk.

Abstract

Cowpox virus is considered to be a re-emerging zoonotic pathogen and a public health threat due to increasing numbers of cases in humans and animals in Europe over the past decade, including within the United Kingdom (UK). We present epidemiological data and diagnostic features of 27 recent, naturally occurring cowpox cases in zoo and wild animals across the UK, including the first reports of cowpox in two snow leopards (Panthera uncia), a Bengal tiger (Panthera tigris tigris), three Chilean pudus (Pudu puda), a Malayan tapir (Tapirus indicus) and a Eurasian otter (Lutra lutra), and the first reports of Orthopoxvirus infection in a lar gibbon (Hylobates lar), a Southern tamandua (Tamandua tetradactyla) and an aardvark (Orycteropus afer). This study provides a detailed overview of cowpox infections in a wide range of non-domestic animal species, presents a range of methods for diagnosis and demonstrates the value of retrospective analysis of pathology surveillance in revealing epidemiological links.

Keywords

Orthopoxvirus; cowpox; cowpox virus; wild animals; zoo animals;

Article Tools:

Medline

Email to me

Archives Highlights:

Diagnostic imaging of the equine cervical spine – Are radiographs enough? (Clinical Commentary)

Recognizing Futile Care in Veterinary Medicine
Futile care occurs when the continuation of current treatment or institution of new treatment is not expected to alter the clinical course of the patient, even if such treatment confers some benefit to the owner.

National Dog Survey: Describing UK Dog and Ownership Demographics.
The online survey was completed by a total of 354,046 respondents owning dogs in the UK, providing data for 440,423 dogs. The results of this study highlight dog demographics, including acquisition and veterinary factors, as well as owner demographic and household information. This dataset serves as an up-to-date baseline for future study comparisons to continue to monitor trends and patterns of the dog population and dog owners going forwards.

Implementation of biosecurity on equestrian premises: A narrative overview.
This narrative review summarises reported frequency of implementation for selected biosecurity measures, as well as evidence relating to potential barriers to implementation of biosecurity on equestrian premises. Possible opportunities for improvement in the adoption of equine biosecurity measures are also discussed.

Use of surgical lasers in small animal dermatology
This article covers the basics of lasers, including discussion of both diode and CO2 lasers. It also discusses several skin diseases and/or conditions in which lasers are commonly used.