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. 2015 Jul;51(3):769-73.
doi: 10.7589/2015-01-021.

Serologic Survey of Snowshoe Hares (Lepus americanus) in the Greater Yellowstone Area for Brucellosis, Tularemia, and Snowshoe Hare Virus

Dan Tyers  1 , Jeremy Zimmer  2 , Kristen Lewandowski  3   4 , Steve Hennager  5 , John Young  6 , Ryan Pappert  6 , Amanda Panella  6 , Olga Kosoy  6
Affiliations

Serologic Survey of Snowshoe Hares (Lepus americanus) in the Greater Yellowstone Area for Brucellosis, Tularemia, and Snowshoe Hare Virus

Dan Tyers et al. J Wildl Dis. 2015 Jul.

Abstract

We examined sera from snowshoe hares (Lepus americanus) livetrapped in the northern Greater Yellowstone Area (GYA), US, for antibodies to Brucella abortus, Francisella tularensis, and snowshoe hare virus (SSHV). Zero of 90, 0 of 67, and 40 of 100 samples were antibody positive for B. abortus, F. tularensis, and SSHV, respectively. Hares were trapped from 2009 to 2012, and of the six animals that were captured twice with at least 1 yr between captures, four developed antibody to SSHV, indicating active exposure to the agent. These findings suggest snowshoe hares in the GYA do not play a significant role as a reservoir of B. abortus, but do maintain the zoonotic, encephalitic SSHV in the population.

Keywords: Brucella abortus; Francisella tularensis; Greater Yellowstone Area; Yellowstone; brucellosis; snowshoe hare; snowshoe hare virus; tularemia.

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Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
Map showing location of the Bear Creek study area where snowshoe hares were live-trapped.
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