Rotavirus (reovirus-like) infection of neonatal ruminants in a zoo nursery.
An outbreak of a pneumoenteric disease occurred in neonates in a zoo nursery. Four of seven affected animals died. Rotaviruses were observed in the feces of an affected 4-day old impala (Aepyceros melampus), a Thomson's gazelle (Gazella thomsonii) and an addax (Addax nasomaculatus). Encapsulated Escherichia coli also were isolated from the feces. The recovered rotaviruses was antigenically related to bovine rotavirus. A bovine rotavirus vaccine was given orally and no adverse effects were noted.
D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn; D000836:Animals, Zoo; D001188:Artiodactyla; D005243:Feces / Q000382:microbiology; D008168:Lung / Q000473:pathology; D012401:Rotavirus / Q000302:isolation & purification; D014777:Virus Diseases / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary*