Serosurvey of canine distemper virus and canine parvovirus in wild canids and domestic dogs at the rural interface in the Coquimbo Region, Chile

Our goal was to investigate demographic and ecological factors influencing canine distemper virus (CDV) and canine parvovirus (CPV) infection in domestic dogs to wild canids (foxes) in rural areas of the Coquimbo Region, Chile. Cross-sectional dog and fox serological sampling was conducted in seven rural sites from 2005 to 2006. Additionally, the relative abundance of each fox species was determined using a scent-station method. Overall, 249 dog-owning households were interviewed across the seven sites, and blood samples collected and analysed from a total of 267 domestic dogs and 33 wild foxes. CDV seroprevalences were similar in dogs (51 %) and foxes (42 %), whilst dogs had a higher CPV seroprevalence than foxes (77 and 49 %, respectively). Foxes were more abundant in the lowlands in areas where CDV prevalence was highest in domestic dogs. We hypothesise that cross-species transmission of CDV is likely to be occurring most frequently in lowland areas, and that wildlife in these areas may be at risk from spillover transmission from domestic dogs.