Potential Pathogens Reported in Species of the Family Viverridae and Their Implications for Human and Animal Health

Wicker, L. V.; Canfield, P. J.; Higgins, D. P.

Some of the organisms listed in this review may be of significance for the conservation of threatened populations of viverrid or other wild carnivores. Canine distemper virus (CDV), feline panleukopenia virus (FPV) and canine parvovirus (CP) ( Table 1 ) are all highly contagious and cause significant morbidity and mortality in susceptible carnivore species. Infected carnivores shed a high viral load in faeces and other bodily secretions (Deem et al., 2000; Steinel et al., 2001) , facilitating environmental contamination and rapid spread of disease. Infection of susceptible animals does not require direct contact as transmission may be via inhalation of aerosolized respiratory secretions or ingestion of contaminated material from the environment (Deem et al., 2000; Steinel et al., 2001) . Spillover of canine distemper virus from the domestic dog has already impacted several wild carnivore populations, including African wild dogs (Lycaon pictus) (Fanshawe et al., 1991) , Santa Catalina Island foxes (Urocyon littoralis catalinae) (Timm et al., 2009) , Black-footed ferrets (Mustela nigripes) (Williams et al., 1988) and Lions (Panthera leo) (Roelke-Parker et al., 1996) , and has been implicated as a significant concern for the conservation of Amur tiger (Panthera tigris altaica) in Russia (Gilbert et al., 2014) . Multihost viruses such as those listed for Viverridae may pose a threat to the conservation of threatened wild viverrids where their distribution overlaps areas inhabited by unvaccinated domestic carnivores, and must be considered in population management, preventative health measures or in case of disease outbreak. Conversely, viverrids themselves may contribute to the maintenance and cycling of pathogens in an environment which, in turn, could threaten the conservation of other endangered species.