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:

A public health campaign to increase awareness of the risk of dog bites in South Australia.
Over one third (36-37%) of dog owners and 25-29% of non-dog owners had been previously bitten by a dog, although most did not require medical attention. Approximately 70% of dog owners believed it was safe for strangers to approach their dog, 34-37% allowed children or other people to pat their dog without permission, and less than half separated their dog from visitors or delivery people. In contrast, few of the non-dog owners allowed their children to pat a dog without the owner's permission and only 2% allowed them to play with dogs without supervision.

Owner satisfaction and prognosis for return to work after pancarpal arthrodesis in working dogs in the United Kingdom: a retrospective study (2011-2020).
50% (5/10) owners stated their dog could perform normal duties; 4/10 (40%) could perform most duties with some allowances. 80% (8/10) owners rated the level of post-operative lameness as unaffected with a normal gait. 90% (9/10) owners were either very satisfied or satisfied with the outcome of the procedure, and 90% owners stated the financial investment was worthwhile.

Prevalence of discospondylitis and association with congenital vertebral body malformations in English and French bulldogs.
The prevalence of discospondylitis was 3.4 (1.6-6.7) times higher in French bulldogs and 4.3 (1.7-9.8) times higher in English bulldogs, compared with the overall hospital cohort. One or more vertebral malformations were present in 12 French bulldogs (92.3%), 6 English bulldogs (75.0%), and 1 "other" breed dog (1.1%). Discospondylitis was diagnosed adjacent to congenital vertebral body malformations in 12 (80%) intervertebral discs in French bulldogs and 5 (50%) intervertebral discs in English bulldogs.

Challenges and Outlook of Veterinary Education in Iran: A Survey of Veterinary Students at Urmia University During the COVID-19 Pandemic.
Regarding future employment, 45.8% of participants wanted to start their own business or practice, whereas 54.2% preferred employment opportunities. A significant 81.6% of participants said they would consider emigrating to pursue better career prospects.

Indications for Radiation Therapy in Veterinary Medicine
This article highlights some of the essential elements for clinical decision making in veterinary radiation oncology, with case examples to give general practitioners a better understanding of what types of cases may be appropriate for radiation therapy.