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Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is a nonenveloped, single-stranded, positive-sense RNA virus within the family Hepeviridae, subfamily Orthohepevirinae, which is divided into 4 genera: Paslahepevirus, Rocahepevirus, Chirohepevirus, and Avihepevirus (1). Human [...]

Canine leptospirosis is a global disease caused by bacteria that can be transmitted through contact with infected animal urine or contaminated water, soil, or food. Diagnosis can be challenging, and there are limitations in testing. The disease is influenced by factors like climate change and increased interactions between humans, wildlife, and domestic animals. A One Health approach, considering the interconnectedness of humans, animals, and the environment, is necessary for effective prevention and control. Collaboration and interdisciplinary research are important for understanding risk factors and improving disease reporting. However, the lack of reliable epidemiological data is a major limitation. Applying a One Health approach can improve knowledge and awareness of the disease. [Extracted from the article]

Alveolar echinococcosis (AE) is a chronic infection caused by the larval stage of the Echinococcus multilocularis tapeworm and commonly manifests within the liver. In humans and dogs, AE is typically [...]

Epizootic hemorrhagic disease viruses (EHDVs) and bluetongue viruses (BTVs) are Culicoides spp. midge-transmitted orbiviruses that represent an imminent threat to the health of ruminant livestock and wildlife. For susceptible ruminants, [...]

There is a need for wildlife professionals to work together to more effectively protect wildlife health; however, collaboration between people of different professions and institutions can be challenging. Our objective was to examine and compare how the conservation and animal health fields share wildlife health data and information in Ontario, Canada. Fifty-five (50%) of 110 invited participants completed an online questionnaire about their wildlife health communication network over the previous 12 months. The professional communication networks (i.e., ego-networks) of practitioners were compared with respect to data sharing between institutions and professions. Results showed low levels of tie dispersion and high levels of ego-alter similarity. There was more data and information sharing occurring between people of different institutions than between people of different professions based on comparing tie dispersion and ego-alter similarity values for these categories. This study highlights opportunities for improved networking between wildlife conservation and health practitioners in Ontario. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Increasing reports of canine distemper virus (CDV) in a variety of hosts, and changing CDV dynamics, have led to renewed interest in the ecology of CDV infections in wildlife. Longitudinal serologic studies provide insights into intrapopulation and intraindividual pathogen dynamics, but few studies in wildlife have been conducted. We used data from 235 raccoons (Procyon lotor) captured on more than one occasion between May 2011 and November 2013 to investigate CDV dynamics in Ontario, Canada. Using mixed multivariable logistic regression, we found that juvenile raccoons were more likely to be seronegative from August to November than from May to July. Using paired titers from CDV-exposed individual raccoons, we determined that the winter breeding season, when there is high intraspecific contact and an increase in susceptible juveniles, may be a period of high risk for CDV exposure. Interestingly, CDV seropositive adult raccoons had nondetectable titers ranging from 1 mo to 1 yr later. Based on our preliminary investigation using two different statistical approaches, CDV exposure was associated with a decrease in parvovirus titer. This result raises important questions about whether virus-induced immune amnesia occurs after CDV exposure, which has been described for measles virus, a closely related pathogen. Overall, our results provide significant insights into CDV dynamics. Further research is needed to investigate whether CDV-induced immune amnesia occurs in raccoons and to determine the potential impacts of a reduced population immunity that may occur secondary to CDV exposure, particularly as it relates to rabies control efforts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Culicoides Latreille (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) is a genus of hematophagous midges feeding on various vertebrate hosts and serving as a vector for numerous pathogens important to livestock and wildlife health. North American pathogens include bluetongue (BT) and epizootic hemorrhagic disease (EHD) viruses. Little is known about Culicoides spp. distribution and abundance and species composition in Ontario, Canada, despite bordering numerous U.S. states with documented Culicoides spp. and BT and EHD virus activity. We sought to characterize Culicoides spp. distribution and abundance and to investigate whether select meteorological and ecological risk factors influenced the abundance of Culicoides biguttatus, C. stellifer, and the subgenus Avaritia trapped throughout southern Ontario. Methods: From June to October of 2017 to 2018, CDC-type LED light suction traps were placed on twelve livestock-associated sites across southern Ontario. Culicoides spp. collected were morphologically identified to the species level when possible. Associations were examined using negative binomial regression among C. biguttatus, C. stellifer, and subgenus Avaritia abundance, and select factors: ambient temperature, rainfall, primary livestock species, latitude, and habitat type. Results: In total, 33,905 Culicoides spp. midges were collected, encompassing 14 species from seven subgenera and one species group. Culicoides sonorensis was collected from three sites during both years. Within Ontario, the northern trapping locations had a pattern of seasonal peak abundance in August (2017) and July (2018), and the southern locations had abundance peaks in June for both years. Culicoides biguttatus, C. stellifer, and subgenus Avaritia were significantly more abundant if ovine was the primary livestock species at trapping sites (compared to bovine). Culicoides stellifer and subgenus Avaritia were significantly more abundant at mid- to high-temperature ranges on trap days (i.e., 17.3–20.2 and 20.3–31.0 °C compared to 9.5–17.2 °C). Additionally, subgenus Avaritia were significantly more abundant if rainfall 4 weeks prior was between 2.7 and 20.1 mm compared to 0.0 mm and if rainfall 8 weeks prior was between 0.1 and 2.1 mm compared to 0.0 mm. Conclusions: Results from our study describe Culicoides spp. distribution in southern Ontario, the potential for spread and maintenance of EHD and BT viruses, and concurrent health risks to livestock and wildlife in southern Ontario in reference to certain meteorological and ecological risk factors. We identified that Culicoides spp. are diverse in this province, and appear to be distinctly distributed spatially and temporally. The livestock species present, temperature, and rainfall appear to have an impact on the abundance of C. biguttatus, C. stellifer, and subgenus Avaritia trapped. These findings could help inform targeted surveillance, control measures, and the development of management guides for Culicoides spp. and EHD and BT viruses in southern Ontario, Canada. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]