Molecular Epidemiology, Characterization, and Risk Factors for Transmission of Gamma Herpes Viruses in Captive Hoofed Stock

Viruses of the Malignant Catarrhal Fever (MCF) group present a serious and perplexing problem for zoos. Some exotic ruminant species, such as wildebeest, hartebeest, oryx, ibex, turs, and other species carry these viruses asymptomatically. Although these normal host species do not develop disease as a result of these viruses, under certain circumstances they can transmit their viruses to susceptible hosts that will develop disease. When this happens, devastating outbreaks of highly fatal disease can result.

The installation of the new transportation system at the Wild Animal Park will require that a number of animals be moved into new enclosures, giving us the opportunity to safely collect needed blood samples for testing without any additional risk to the animals. Wildlife Disease Laboratories researchers at CRES will use this unique opportunity to collect blood samples from all the exotic hoofed stock species at the Wild Animal Park. They will then extract DNA from each blood sample and will identify and characterize any herpes viruses of the MCF group that are present, using polymerase chain reaction amplification and DNA sequencing. They will match phylogenetic trees of viruses and hosts to identify the normal carrier hosts for each virus. Finally, researchers will combine virus and host inventory data with comprehensive management information to identify risk factors for cross-species transmission. Findings from this study will enable us to develop management recommendations for exhibiting, breeding, and moving these valuable species in order to prevent transmission of the viruses and the fatal disease outbreaks that result.