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. 2016 Jul 15;87(1):e1-2.
doi: 10.4102/jsava.v87i1.1350.

Severe canine distemper outbreak in unvaccinated dogs in Mozambique

Julieta Zacarias, Alberto Dimande, Sara Achá, Paula T Dias, Elisa M Leonel, Aurora Messa, Baltazar Macucule, José L Júnior, Custódio G Bila  1
Affiliations

Severe canine distemper outbreak in unvaccinated dogs in Mozambique

Julieta Zacarias et al. J S Afr Vet Assoc. .

Abstract

Although significant animal suffering caused by preventable diseases is frequently seen in developing countries, reports of this are scarce. This report describes avoidable animal suffering owing to a suspected canine distemper (CD) outbreak in unvaccinated dogs owned by low-income families in Mozambique that killed approximately 200 animals. Affected dogs exhibited clinical signs, and gross and microscopic lesions compatible with CD. Immunohistochemical staining confirmed the presence of canine distemper virus (CDV) in the kidney of one dog from the cohort. This brief communication again illustrates that large outbreaks of CDV in unvaccinated dogs occur and that large-scale avoidable suffering and threats to the health of dogs and wild canines continue. Mass vaccination supported by government and non-government organisations is recommended.

Keywords: Canine distemper; dogs; outbreak; animal welfare; Mozambique..

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that they have no financial or personal relationships which may have inappropriately influenced them in writing this article.

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