article · Journal of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine
Canine distemper virus causes a contagious, multi-systemic and frequently fatal illness affecting domestic dogs and wildlife. To explore whether wild species act as reservoirs sustaining infections despite domestic dog vaccination, a survey examined captive wild animals and non-human primates across two sites in Jos, Plateau State. Testing forty-two faecal samples using a commercial canine distemper test kit revealed a viral antigen incidence of over fifty-four per cent. Infection rates varied significantly according to location, whereas sex, age, breed and taxonomic family showed no statistically significant differences. These findings confirm that wild carnivores and non-human primates in the investigated facilities carry the canine distemper viral antigen, highlighting their role as potential reservoir hosts. Mitigating the spread of infection requires routine screening, early pathogen detection, strict hygiene protocols, and the incorporation of vaccination programmes directly into wildlife management systems.
Canine distemper virus remains persistent among domestic dog populations despite available vaccines. Demonstrating that captive wild carnivores and non-human primates harbour the virus reveals important environmental reservoirs. Understanding this transmission dynamic helps veterinary authorities, zoo managers and wildlife conservationists protect vulnerable species, improve biosecurity, and design comprehensive vaccination strategies that account for cross-species disease spread.
The findings highlight a clear veterinary diagnostic and wildlife management need. Commercial rapid test kit manufacturers and veterinary vaccine producers could see increased uptake from zoological institutions, conservation parks, and wildlife agencies seeking regular health monitoring and preventative immunisation protocols. This research represents an early-stage surveillance study that identifies a potential operational market for diagnostic screening tools and targeted wildlife vaccination programmes, though commercial deployment pathways are not directly developed in the abstract.
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Canine distemper virus (CDV) causes a contagious incurable often fatal, multi – systemic disease that affect the respiratory, gastro – intestinal and central nervous systems. Therefore, there is need to investigate some wild animals to ascertain their role as reservoir host which may contribute to the persistent occurrence of this disease in the domestic dog despite the availability of CDV vaccines. This prompted the research work to provide information about CDV in the study area. The aim was to determine the incidence of canine distemper virus antigen (CDV Ag) in some wild animals and non-human primates in Jos zoological museum and Plateau State Wildlife Park, Plateau State. A total of 42 fecal samples were collected from some wild animals. The samples were tested for CD antigen presence using SensPERT® Canine distemper Test Kit, VetAll Laboratories. Association between the incidence of infection and some factors such as sex, age, breed, family and location were determined using chi-square at 95% confidence interval. Total incidence recorded was 54.76% (23/42). There was significant difference in relation to location (p<0.05) but there was no significant difference in relation to sex, age, breeds and family. The result of the study established the presence of CDV infection in the study area among wild carnivores and non-human primates thus serving as the reservoir host for the virus. Regular check for Canine Distemper Antigen virus and other pathogens for early detection and maintenance of high standard hygiene practice are recommended. Integration of vaccination against preventable diseases such as CDV is also recommended in the management of wildlife.
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DOI: 10.31248/jasvm2024.481
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