Assessment of the potential of dogs and cats as urban reservoirs of Ross River and Barmah Forest viruses.
OBJECTIVE
To determine whether dogs and cats are potential reservoirs of Ross River (RR) and Barmah Forest (BF) viruses


METHODS
Young seronegative female dogs and cats were experimentally exposed to the viruses using Ochlerotatus vigilax (Skuse) mosquitoes.


RESULTS
Only one of the 10 dogs and one of the 10 cats exposed to RR developed neutralising antibody. None of the animals developed detectable viraemia or clinical signs. One dog and three cats exposed to BF developed neutralising antibody. In addition, a serological survey of sera obtained from domestic dogs and cats residing in the Brisbane region indicated that 23.7% and 1.3% of dogs, and 14% and 2% of cats, had neutralising antibodies to RR and BF respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
Although dogs and cats are exposed naturally to these viruses, and can become infected, they are unlikely to be important urban reservoirs of either virus.
Queensland Institute of Medical Research and University of Queensland, Tropical Health Program, Post Office Royal Brisbane Hospital.
A M
AM
Boyd
B H
BH
Kay
D000330:Aedes / Q000821:virology; D000524:Alphavirus / Q000276:immunology*; D018354:Alphavirus Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000635:transmission / Q000662:veterinary*; D000818:Animals; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000097:blood*; D002371:Cat Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000635:transmission*; D002415:Cats / Q000821:virology; D004197:Disease Reservoirs / Q000662:veterinary*; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000635:transmission*; D004285:Dogs / Q000821:virology; D005260:Female; D007303:Insect Vectors / Q000821:virology*; D011793:Queensland / Q000453:epidemiology; D012398:Ross River virus / Q000276:immunology; D014504:Urban Health
D000914:Antibodies, Viral