1. A recent distemper virus outbreak in the growing canine populations of Galapagos Islands: a persistent threat for the endangered Galapagos Sea Lion.
- Author
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Vega-Mariño P, Olson J, Howitt B, Criollo R, Figueroa L, Orlando SA, Cruz M, and Garcia-Bereguiain MA
- Abstract
Canine Distemper Virus (CDV) is a highly contagious virus that can cross mammalian species barriers and has widespread impacts on both domestic animals and wildlife populations. This study describes a recent outbreak of CDV in the Galapagos Islands in 2019. A total number of 125 dogs with clinical signs compatible with CDV were included in this study. Nasal swabs were taken and analyzed by RT-qPCR for the detection of CDV, resulting in a positivity rate of 74.4% (IC95%, 66-81%). Among the CDV positive dogs, 82.2% presented with respiratory signs, 48.8% neurological signs, and 28.9% gastrointestinal signs. CDV has been previously reported in the domestic canine population of the Galapagos Islands in 2001 and 2004. The current study shows how CDV is still a threat for the endemic and endangered Galapagos sea lion, despite recent policies for dog population control and CDV vaccination., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2023 Vega-Mariño, Olson, Howitt, Criollo, Figueroa, Orlando, Cruz and Garcia-Bereguiain.)
- Published
- 2023
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