Journal
VIRUSES-BASEL
Volume 12, Issue 7, Pages -Publisher
MDPI
DOI: 10.3390/v12070752
Keywords
Australia; deer; prevalence; Pestivirus; ruminants; serosurveillance; virology; wildlife disease
Categories
Funding
- Centre for Invasive Species Solutions [PO1-L-002]
Ask authors/readers for more resources
Since deer were introduced into Australia in the mid-1800s, their wild populations have increased in size and distribution, posing a potential risk to the livestock industry, through their role in pathogen transmission cycles. In comparison to livestock, there are limited data on viral infections in all wildlife, including deer. The aim of this study was to assess blood samples from wild Australian deer for serological evidence of exposure to relevant viral livestock diseases. Blood samples collected across eastern Australia were tested by ELISA to detect antigens and antibodies againstPestivirusand antibodies against bovine herpesvirus 1. A subset of samples was also assessed by RT-PCR forPestivirus, Simbu serogroup, epizootic hemorrhagic disease virus and bovine ephemeral fever virus. Our findings demonstrated a very low seroprevalence (3%) for ruminantPestivirus, and none of the other viruses tested were detected. These results suggest that wild deer may currently be an incidental spill-over host (rather than a reservoir host) forPestivirus. However, deer could be a future source of viral infections for domestic animals in Australia. Further investigations are needed to monitor pathogen activity and quantify possible future infectious disease impacts of wild deer on the Australian livestock industry.
Authors
I am an author on this paper
Click your name to claim this paper and add it to your profile.
Reviews
Recommended
No Data Available