Avipoxvirus infection in a collection of captive stone curlews (Burhinus oedicnemus).

A natural outbreak of avipoxvirus occurred in recently purchased stone curlews (Burhinus oedicnemus) at a breeding farm and subsequently spread to other stone curlews residing at the farm. The initial outbreak was characterized by mild vesicular skin lesions on the legs, which then developed crusts and bled. The overall morbidity rate was 100%, but none of the birds died, and all recovered without complication. Four gallinaceous species, also kept on the farm, did not develop lesions. Avipoxvirus was identified from the skin lesions by virus isolation, electron microscopy, and monoclonal antibody testing, as well as by polymerase chain reaction testing. Eight months after this outbreak, 7 male stone curlews developed large, round, crusty lesions on their legs. Although poxvirus virions were identified in the lesions, results of virus isolation were negative. These lesions possibly were the result of a recrudescence of the original infection in male birds that were stressed because they were housed together during the breeding season. This is the first clinical description of an avipoxvirus infection in stone curlews.

Serologic surveillance for selected viral agents in captive and free-ranging populations of Arabian oryx (Oryx leucoryx) from Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.

A total of 294 sera collected between 1999 and 2001 from eight captive and one free-ranging herds of Arabian oryx (Oryx leucoryx) distributed in Saudi Arabia (SA) and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) were assayed for antibodies against 13 selected viral agents. Arabian oryx have been exposed to bluetongue virus (BTV), epizootic hemorrhagic disease virus (EHDV), rinderpest virus (RPV), bovine respiratory syncytial virus (BRSV), bovine adenovirus 3 (BAV-3), cervid herpesvirus-1, foot-and-mouth disease virus, equine herpesvirus 9, and bovine viral diarrhea virus. The high seroprevalence to BTV and EHDV in the UAE and SA indicates that Arabian oryx are likely to be susceptible to infection by these viruses and therefore could act as a source of virus to vectors during the infective stage of infection. Moreover, antibodies were detected against RPV and BRSV in sera from SA and against BAV-3 in sera from the UAE. No antibodies were found against bovine herpesvirus-1, caprine herpesvirus-1, enzootic bovine leucosis virus, and peste des petits ruminants virus. On the basis of these results, caution should be applied when considering translocation of Arabian oryx, and only those proven to be free of infectious agents that might present a risk to other species should be moved.