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:

Choose Your Own Adventure: Using Twine for Gamified Interactive Learning in Veterinary Anaesthesia.
Five interactive clinical cases were developed using Twine, simulating realistic anaesthesia scenarios with decision points and gamified elements, such as scoring systems and resource management. Feedback was highly positive; 90.8% found it effective for training, and 97.0% agreed it improved knowledge. User-friendliness was rated as "easy" or "very easy" by 94.6%. Regarding overall satisfaction, 96.7% of students described the workshop as "good" or "excellent".

Nursing care of the small animal oncology patient. Part 2: pet carer support
This article outlines how RVNs can alleviate caregiver burden, facilitate shared decision-making, and provide practical and emotional support throughout the oncology journey.

Investigating the Reasons behind Companion Animal Relinquishment: A Systematic Content Analysis of Shelter Records for Cats and Dogs, 2018-2023.
The most frequent reasons cited were Behavior Issues (28%), Housing/Moving (18%), Unable to Care (16%), Too Many Pets (10%), Financial (6%), and Owner Allergies (5%). The most common behavioral reasons reported were Aggression (32% of behavioral surrenders), Social Conflict (28%), and Soiling (13%).

Owner survey suggests cats may be undertreated for pain compared to dogs after an elective ovariohysterectomy or orchiectomy.
Analgesics were prescribed for 19 of 162 (12%) pets: 14 of 88 (16%) dogs and 5 of 74 (6.7%) cats. There was no difference in the prescription of analgesics between dogs and cats after ovariohysterectomy or orchiectomy. 15 of 19 owners reported their compliance in administering analgesics at 78.9%. Owners' subjective assessments showed that 24 of 86 (28%) dogs and 12 of 68 (17%) cats appeared painful at home.

Companion animal veterinary personnel have occupational risk for tularemia and One Health role for tularemia prevention in Kansas.
Forty-three percent (47 of 109) of veterinarians reported diagnosing tularemia in cats and 13% (14 of 109) in dogs. Seven percent (8 of 109) of veterinarians reported having had tularemia. When performing procedures with a high risk of exposure, such as lancing abscesses in tularemia suspects, glove use was 100% but additional personal protective equipment was inconsistent, including eye protection (70%) and surgical face mask (59%).