West Nile Virus and Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease Virus Co-Infection in a Novel Host at the Nashville Zoo

Am J Trop Med Hyg. 2023 Mar 6;108(4):705-711. doi: 10.4269/ajtmh.21-0924. Print 2023 Apr 5.

Abstract

On August 30, 2017, one of five bontebok in a mixed-species exhibit at the Nashville Zoo at Grassmere exhibited acute hind-limb ataxia and altered demeanor. Pathological examination demonstrated meningoencephalitis and spinal myelitis. Coinfection of West Nile virus (WNV) and epizootic hemorrhagic disease virus (EHDV) was revealed by quantitative real-time and traditional reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction assays and virus isolation/whole genome sequencing from brain tissue, respectively. Whole genome sequencing was conducted for EHDV. Mosquito testing from September 19 to October 13, 2017, demonstrated a higher WNV infection rate in mosquitoes at the zoo compared with the rest of Nashville-Davidson County. EHDV is endemic in wild white-tailed deer (family Cervidae) in Tennessee, and the prevalence in wildlife depends on environmental influences. This case illustrates the potential susceptibility of exotic zoo animals to endemic domestic arthropod-borne viruses (arboviruses) and reinforces the importance of cooperative antemortem and postmortem surveillance strategies among human, wildlife, and domestic animal health agencies.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Animals, Wild
  • Arboviruses*
  • Coinfection*
  • Culicidae*
  • Deer*
  • Hemorrhagic Disease Virus, Epizootic* / genetics
  • Humans
  • West Nile Fever*
  • West Nile virus*

Supplementary concepts

  • Odocoileus virginianus