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Skunk rabies
K M Charlton1, W A Webster, G A Casey
1Animal Diseases Research Institute, NEPEAN, Ontario, Canada.
Reviews of Infectious Diseases
|November 1, 1988
Summary
Rabies cases in North American skunks are most common, particularly in four key regions. Distinct virus variants are linked to specific geographic areas and may influence species-specific rabies transmission.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Virology
- Wildlife Epidemiology
Background:
- Skunk rabies is a significant concern in North America, often exceeding cases in raccoons or foxes.
- Enzootic skunk rabies is geographically concentrated in four distinct regions across the continent.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify the geographic distribution of enzootic skunk rabies in North America.
- To characterize the rabies virus variants associated with skunk rabies in these regions.
- To explore the role of virus variants in species-specific rabies transmission.
Main Methods:
- Geographic analysis of diagnosed rabies cases in skunks.
- Monoclonal antibody testing to differentiate rabies virus variants.
- Experimental studies to assess virus pathogenicity and species specificity.
Main Results:
- Skunk rabies is prevalent in southern Ontario/Quebec/New York, north-central US/Canada, California, and south-central US.
- Three distinct street virus variants were identified, with specific variants linked to particular geographic areas.
- Experimental data suggest that rabies virus variant pathogenicity contributes to species specificity.
Conclusions:
- Skunk rabies exhibits distinct geographic patterns in North America, associated with specific virus variants.
- Rabies virus variants play a role in the observed species specificity of enzootic rabies.
- Understanding these variants is crucial for rabies control and prevention strategies in wildlife.