Epidemiology of squirrelpox virus in grey squirrels in the UK
| Autor: | Peter W. W. Lurz, Colin McInnes, J. P. Duff, Anthony W. Sainsbury, John Gurnell, Janice Gilray, Peter Nettleton, C. M. Bruemmer, Steve P. Rushton |
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| Rok vydání: | 2010 |
| Předmět: |
Male
medicine.medical_specialty Veterinary medicine Epidemiology media_common.quotation_subject Zoology Poxviridae Infections Body weight Virus Competition (biology) Rodent Diseases Sex Factors medicine Animals Seroprevalence Weather media_common Wildlife conservation Parapoxvirus Sciurus carolinensis biology business.industry Body Weight Sciuridae biology.organism_classification Infectious Diseases England Scotland Population Surveillance Emerging infectious disease Female Seasons business |
| Zdroj: | Epidemiology and Infection. 138:941-950 |
| ISSN: | 1469-4409 0950-2688 |
| Popis: | SUMMARYThe dramatic decline of the native red squirrel in the UK has been attributed to both direct and disease-mediated competition with the grey squirrel where the competitor acts as a reservoir host of squirrelpox virus (SQPV). SQPV is threatening red squirrel conservation efforts, yet little is known about its epidemiology. We analysed seroprevalence of antibody against SQPV in grey squirrels from northern England and the Scottish Borders in relation to season, weather, sex, and body weight using Generalized Linear Models in conjunction with Structural Equation Modelling. Results indicated a heterogeneous prevalence pattern which is male-biased, increases with weight and varies seasonally. Seroprevalence rose during the autumn and peaked in spring. Weather parameters had an indirect effect on SQPV antibody status. Our findings point towards a direct disease transmission route, which includes environmental contamination. Red squirrel conservation management options should therefore seek to minimize squirrel contact points. |
| Databáze: | OpenAIRE |
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