A serious outbreak of canine distemper among sled-dogs in northern Greenland

Abstract

A canine distemper outbreak in a highly susceptible sled dog population of Northern Greenland was recognized in the beginning of January 1988. A high morbidity and mortality in all age groups was a characteristic of the epizootic. The actual canine distemper virus infection was identified by isolation of the virus and demonstration of viral antigens by immunofluorescence and also by demonstration of conventional inclusion bodies. Virus specific IgM antibodies were demonstrated in affected dogs. In places where vaccination was carried out too late to be effective, the losses were up to 80 per cent. In a settlement, which was under rabies quarantine four weeks before the distemper outbreak started in other settlements, no cases occurred before or after vaccination. The spread of canine distemper seems connected with a Canadian outbreak and communicated by foxes. Once established the further spread apparently was by travelling dog teams. Suitable future prophylactic measures are discussed.