Endemic malignant catarrhal fever at the San Diego wild animal park

Malignant Catarrhal Fever was diagnosed in an Indian Gaur (Bos gaurus gaurus), a Barasingha Deer, (Cervus duvauceli duvauceli), and four Javan Banteng (Bos javanicus javanicus) at the San Diego Wild Animal Park between July, 1976 and January, 1979. Three of the four Banteng lived adjacent to an exhibit in which wildebeast were born at 29.68 and 82 days prior to the Banteng's deaths. The disease was characterized by pyrexia, conjunctivitis, diarrhea, dyspnea and rhinitis. Mortality was 100%. Post mortem lesions in the respiratory, digestive, lymphoid and nervous systems were erosions, ulcers, necrosis and hemorrhage. Microscopic lesions included lymphoid necrosis, reticuloendothelial hyperplasia and diffuse vasculitis. All virus isolation attempts were negative.