Dogs and Opossums Positive for Vaccinia Virus during Outbreak Affecting Cattle and Humans, São Paulo State, Brazil

Marina G Peres; Claudenice B Barros; Camila M Appolinário; João M A P Antunes; Mateus S R Mioni; Thais S Bacchiega; Susan D Allendorf; Acácia F Vicente; Clóvis R Fonseca; Jane Megid

doi:10.3201/eid2202.140747

Dogs and Opossums Positive for Vaccinia Virus during Outbreak Affecting Cattle and Humans, São Paulo State, Brazil

Emerg Infect Dis. 2016 Feb;22(2):271-3. doi: 10.3201/eid2202.140747.

Authors

Marina G Peres, Claudenice B Barros, Camila M Appolinário, João M A P Antunes, Mateus S R Mioni, Thais S Bacchiega, Susan D Allendorf, Acácia F Vicente, Clóvis R Fonseca, Jane Megid

Abstract

During a vaccinia virus (VACV) outbreak in São Paulo State, Brazil, blood samples were collected from cows, humans, other domestic animals, and wild mammals. Samples from 3 dogs and 3 opossums were positive for VACV by PCR. Results of gene sequencing yielded major questions regarding other mammalian species acting as reservoirs of VACV.

Keywords: Brazil; PCR; São Paulo State; dogs; hosts; opossums; outbreak; reservoirs; vaccinia virus; viruses; zoonoses.

MeSH terms

Animals
Brazil / epidemiology
Cattle
Cattle Diseases / epidemiology*
Cattle Diseases / virology*
Disease Outbreaks*
Dogs
Genes, Viral
Humans
Opossums
Phylogeny
Vaccinia / diagnosis
Vaccinia / epidemiology*
Vaccinia / virology*
Vaccinia virus / classification
Vaccinia virus / genetics*