The Geographical Distribution of Animal Viral Diseases

Organization

Introduction

A more appropriate title for this book might have been the geographical distribution of well-documented reports of animal viruses of pathogenic importance. One of the problems with the selected title is that often viruses may not cause overt disease in their primary host in the endemic areas. If the title had been the geographical distribution of endemic animal viral diseases, that would have had a problem also. Many of the maps depict regions where only temporary outbreaks have occurred. However, this is certainly important information and illustrates areas of high risk. Further, it may be very difficult to prove the absence of a virus once it has occurred in a region. For the purposes of brevity and to facilitate cataloging, the selected title will have to suffice.

Viruses are not all bad. From the frame of reference of the African warthog, African swine fever (ASF) virus may have provided some protection of that porcine population against the incursions of their natural habitat by imported European pigs. Through years of exposure to the ASF virus, the warthogs suffer little harm from the virus at the population level and the virus may be liberated without overt signs of disease. In contrast, when first introduced into Africa, the European pigs suffered up to 100% mortality because of the same virus. Therefore, ASF virus effectively constituted an important environmental defense mechanism to help preserve the genetic and ecological integrity of the African warthog population. In a similar manner Myxoma virus (causing a benign nodular tumor in its natural wild host) was capable of causing fulminating lethal infections in European feral rabbits in Australia, and the virus was used as an effective means of biological control.

Most viruses, however, are looked on with disfavor and fear. The World Health Organization (WHO) has successfully completed the campaign to eradicate smallpox virus from the face of the earth (except for specimens stored in maximum security biocontainment laboratories). Polio and measles viruses have been controlled in many developed countries by vaccinations, but a continued concern is warranted because complacency may lead to a relaxed vigilance; the danger of reintroduction into suceptible populations therefore exists.

The relative concern for viruses depends on cultural concepts and the national point of view. Foot and mouth disease (FMD) with its low mortality is accepted with fatalistic resolve in certain parts of India, whereas the United States spends millions of dollars along with considerable time and effort to exclude its introduction. Conversely, the reciprocal situation exists with regard to Bovine leukosis virus (BLV). In the United States the disease is tolerated owing to its low mortality and ubiquitous distribution. In India and other parts of the world the veterinary profession is very concerned about preventing the introduction of BLV or has instituted elaborate and expensive eradication schemes.

The type of predominant livestock production unit is important in assessing the impact of viruses in different countries. In systems in which large numbers of animals are aggregated into feed lots, confinement housing, or battery operations, there is a high degree of liability to the spread of certain virulent viruses. However, viruses that cause a low mortality may be accepted with minimal complaints.

Under intensive livestock production systems a mortality rate of 1–2% results in only a marginal loss where a few individual owners may possess a hundred or so animals. The detrimental impact of a virus with a similar mortality rate in extensive livestock production systems may be much greater. Where only one or two animals are owned by many different families a mortality of 1–2% may wipe out the entire animal holdings of many families, with disastrous effects. In certain regions of Africa and Asia the very existence of large human communities is totally dependent on the survival and well-being of their livestock. The economic value of these animals may be low, but the nutritional and security value transcends financial considerations. Therefore, the current ignorance of the global geographical distribution of animal viruses could be costing the people of the so-called Third World much more than the Developed World by any parameter of measurement.

The importance of viral diseases cannot be overemphasized. The Office of International Epizootics (OIE) reports monthly on the outbreaks of the major potentially most devastating livestock diseases to the member nations of the world. These diseases comprise what is known as the List A. Of the 18 major diseases, 13 are caused by viruses.

Animal viruses that have created havoc for both humans and animals in the recent past are Foot and mouth disease, Rift Valley fever, African swine fever, Bovine leukosis virus, Rabies, Rinderpest, Bluetongue, Newcastle, Venezuelan equine encephalomyelitis, and Rotaviruses to mention only a few.

A few specific examples of the potential disorder and disruption caused by viruses are appropriate. In the late 1970s four severe episodes occurred. (1) Rift Valley fever invaded the Nile delta in Egypt attacking a completely susceptible population. Hundreds of humans and thousands of animals died as a result. (2) England was completely free of Bovine leukosis virus in 1978 until Canadian Holsteins were imported into the country. In 1982 BLV existed in England with definite detrimental effects. (3) In the late 1970s African swine fever reached the Dominican Republic, Haiti, and Cuba. As a result programs were instituted (or are being instituted) to kill every single pig on the island of Hispaniola and affected provinces of Cuba. (4) Also in the late 1970s a totally new disease arose (perhaps by mutation), spreading rapidly and killing large percentages of the dog populations throughout the world. The ultimate source of this canine parvovirus remains unknown, but it is clear from testing preserved canine sera from around the world that the species Canis familiaris had probably never been exposed previously to this particular virus. Some of the preceding epidemics and epizootics might have been prevented or ameliorated had a greater appreciation existed for the geographical distribution of animal viral