title: Serosurvey for canine distemper virus exposure in dogs in communal lands in Zimbabwe.
abstract: Sera from 173 apparently healthy, unvaccinated dogs from 4 widely separated communal lands in Zimbabwe were tested by ELISA for antibodies against canine distemper virus. Overall, 82% were positive with high prevalences found in each communal land. The highest seroprevalence was in dogs between 1 and 2 years of age (91%; 49/54). These results show dogs in the communal lands of Zimbabwe are commonly exposed to canine distemper virus and that a substantial number survive infection. The role that the virus might play in the high mortality rate of the dog population on communal land warrants further investigation.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Zimbabwe, P.O. Box MP 167, Mount Pleasant, Harare, Zimbabwe. pkelly@rossvet.edu.kn
authors.forename: P J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Kelly
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Musuka
authors.forename: G Nic
authors.initials: GN
authors.lastname: Eoghin
authors.forename: J B U
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Tebje-Kelly
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Carter
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D000818:Animals; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000097:blood; D004216:Distemper / Q000453:epidemiology*; D004217:Distemper Virus, Canine / Q000276:immunology*; D004285:Dogs; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies; D012737:Sex Factors; D015030:Zimbabwe / Q000453:epidemiology
chemical_list: D000914:Antibodies, Viral