| Elle T Glueckert; University of California, Davis; etglueckert@ucdavis.edu; Deana, L, Clifford, Maris, Brenn-White, Jennine, N, Ochoa, Mourad, W, Gabriel, Greta, M, Wengert, Janet, E, Foley |
| Aleutian disease virus (ADV) is an amdoparvovirus with substantial health impacts on farmed mink worldwide, but it is also capable of infecting a variety of related carnivores. In 2010-2013, an outbreak of Aleutian disease, associated with severe neurological disease and fatalities, was documented in free-ranging striped skunks (Mephitis mephitis) from the San Francisco Bay Area of northern California. To further investigate the extent of this outbreak, we collected blood samples from skunks throughout California and tested for the presence of Aleutian disease viremia using polymerase chain reaction. Aleutian disease viral DNA was detected in 140/216 (64.8%) sampled skunks, and ADV-positive skunks were present in all 19 counties sampled and four designated geographic zones, ranging as far north as Humboldt County and south to San Diego County. Testing of archived samples collected prior to 2010 provided evidence for ADV infections in skunks dating back to 2004. Our results indicate a skunk specific ADV strain or closely related virus is geographically widespread and that infected skunks were present in the state prior to the 2010-2013 outbreak. Continued investigation of this virus in skunks is warranted as is testing other at-risk species. |