Abstract
Domestic dogs are common amongst communities in sub-Saharan Africa and may serve as important reservoirs for infectious agents that may cause diseases in wildlife. Two agents of concern are canine parvovirus (CPV) and canine distemper virus (CDV), which may infect and cause disease in large carnivore species such as African wild dogs and African lions, respectively. The impact of domestic dogs and their diseases on wildlife conservation is increasing in Zimbabwe, necessitating thorough assessment and implementation of control measures. In this study, domestic dogs in north-western Zimbabwe were evaluated for antibodies to CDV, CPV, and canine adenovirus (CAV). These dogs were communal and had no vaccination history. Two hundred and twenty-five blood samples were collected and tested using a commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for antibodies to CPV, CDV, and CAV. Of these dogs, 75 (34%) had detectable antibodies to CDV, whilst 191 (84%) had antibodies to CPV. Antibodies to canine adenovirus were present in 28 (13%) dogs. Canine parvovirus had high prevalence in all six geographic areas tested. These results indicate that CPV is circulating widely amongst domestic dogs in the region. In addition, CDV is present at high levels. Both pathogens can infect wildlife species. Efforts for conservation of large carnivores in Zimbabwe must address the role of domestic dogs in disease transmission.
Highlights
Dogs are important members of communities throughout sub-Saharan Africa and are the most common carnivore on the continent (Alexander et al 2010)
Domestic dogs in north-western Zimbabwe were evaluated for antibodies to canine distemper virus (CDV), canine parvovirus (CPV) and canine adenovirus (CAV), three important and highly contagious pathogens affecting dogs and wildlife globally
Free-roaming communal dogs residing on rural communal lands in Hwange District bordering both Victoria Falls and Zambezi National Parks were used for this investigation
Summary
Dogs are important members of communities throughout sub-Saharan Africa and are the most common carnivore on the continent (Alexander et al 2010). If any, veterinary care and no vaccinations, except periodic rabies vaccination; life expectancy of these dogs is little more than one year, and over 70% of these dogs die within the first year of life, many due to infectious disease (Butler & Bingham 2000). It is estimated that over 60% of Zimbabwean nature reserves adjoin communal lands (Butler & Bingham 2000) Some of these encroachments have already led to epidemics of disease amongst wildlife, including African wild dogs and lions (Butler et al 2004; Gordon & Angrick 1986). The impact of domestic dogs and their diseases on wildlife conservation is increasing in Zimbabwe, necessitating thorough assessment and implementation of control measures (Butler et al 2004)
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