Detection of Vaccinia Virus in Urban Domestic Cats, Brazil

Emerg Infect Dis. 2017 Feb;23(2):360-362. doi: 10.3201/eid2302.161341.

Abstract

We investigated possible vaccinia virus (VACV) in urban house cats in Brazil. Serum samples from 6 cats were positive for VACV by PCR, indicating likely VACV circulation among house cats in urban areas of Brazil. This finding highlights the importance of epidemiologic surveillance to avoid outbreaks among urban human populations.

Keywords: Brazil; cats; cowpox; domestic; orthopoxvirus; urban; vaccinia virus; viruses; zoonoses.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Animals, Domestic
  • Antibodies, Neutralizing / immunology
  • Antibodies, Viral / immunology
  • Brazil / epidemiology
  • Cat Diseases / epidemiology*
  • Cat Diseases / immunology
  • Cat Diseases / virology*
  • Cats
  • Phylogeny
  • Public Health Surveillance
  • Urban Health*
  • Vaccinia / veterinary*
  • Vaccinia virus* / classification
  • Vaccinia virus* / genetics
  • Vaccinia virus* / immunology
  • Viral Matrix Proteins / genetics
  • Viral Matrix Proteins / immunology

Substances

  • Antibodies, Neutralizing
  • Antibodies, Viral
  • Viral Matrix Proteins