Poxvirus infection outbreak in common ringtails (Pseudocheirus peregrinus)

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Pathology
• Wildlife Disease Ecology
• Poxviridae Infections

Background:

• Poxviridae viruses are known pathogens affecting diverse hosts, including invertebrates and vertebrates.
• Poxvirus infections are documented in Australian macropodids, but less so in other marsupial species.
• Previous reports of poxvirus in common ringtails (Pseudocheirus peregrinus) are rare, with only one prior instance noted.

Observation:

• This report details a poxvirus outbreak affecting a group of common ringtail possums.
• The affected animals were housed within a zoological collection in eastern Australia.
• The outbreak involved multiple individuals within the captive group.

Findings:

• The study documents a poxvirus infection outbreak in common ringtail possums.
• This represents a significant cluster of cases in a species with limited documented poxvirus history.
• The affected animals were part of a zoological collection.

Implications:

• This finding expands the known host range of poxviruses within Australian marsupials.
• It underscores the importance of monitoring poxvirus in captive wildlife populations.
• Further research into marsupial poxvirus susceptibility and transmission is warranted.