A serological survey of cattle in the Thames - Coromandel district of New Zealand for antibodies to Ross River virus.
OBJECTIVE
To determine if cattle exposed to the southern saltmarsh mosquito (SSM), Aedes camptorhynchus, in the Thames-Coromandel district of New Zealand had been exposed to Ross River virus (RRV).


METHODS
A purposive sampling design was used to test cattle from seven farms located in close proximity to four sites infested with A. camptorhynchus in the Thames-Coromandel district. Sera from 207 cattle were tested for antibodies to RRV, using an ELISA and confirmatory virus neutralisation test (VNT) as the gold standard.


RESULTS
All 207 cattle tested negative for antibodies to RRV using the ELISA and VNT.


CONCLUSIONS
This study found no evidence of exposure to RRV in cattle in locations in the Thames-Coromandel district of New Zealand where populations of SSM were present.
McFadden
A M J
AM
Investigation and Diagnostic Centre, Wallaceville, Biosecurity New Zealand, Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, Upper Hutt 5081, New Zealand. andrew.mcfadden@maf.govt.nz
McFadden
B D
BD
Mackereth
G F
GF
Clough
R R
RR
Hueston
L
L
Gradwell
B
B
Dymond
M
M
D000330:Aedes / Q000821:virology; D018354:Alphavirus Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000276:immunology / Q000662:veterinary*; D000818:Animals; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000097:blood*; D002417:Cattle; D002418:Cattle Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000276:immunology* / Q000821:virology; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay / Q000662:veterinary; D005843:Geography; D007303:Insect Vectors / Q000821:virology; D009520:New Zealand / Q000453:epidemiology; D012398:Ross River virus / Q000276:immunology*
D000914:Antibodies, Viral