title: Severe canine distemper outbreak in unvaccinated dogs in Mozambique.
abstract: Although significant animal suffering caused by preventable diseases is frequently seen in developing countries, reports of this are scarce. This report describes avoidable animal suffering owing to a suspected canine distemper (CD) outbreak in unvaccinated dogs owned by low-income families in Mozambique that killed approximately 200 animals. Affected dogs exhibited clinical signs, and gross and microscopic lesions compatible with CD. Immunohistochemical staining confirmed the presence of canine distemper virus (CDV) in the kidney of one dog from the cohort. This brief communication again illustrates that large outbreaks of CDV in unvaccinated dogs occur and that large-scale avoidable suffering and threats to the health of dogs and wild canines continue. Mass vaccination supported by government and non-government organisations is recommended.
authors.forename: Julieta
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Zacarias
authors.forename: Alberto
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Dimande
authors.forename: Sara
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Achá
authors.forename: Paula T
authors.initials: PT
authors.lastname: Dias
authors.forename: Elisa M
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Leonel
authors.forename: Aurora
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Messa
authors.forename: Baltazar
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Macucule
authors.forename: José L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Júnior
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Eduardo Mondlane University. custodio.bila@uem.mz.
authors.forename: Custódio G
authors.initials: CG
authors.lastname: Bila
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004196:Disease Outbreaks / Q000662:veterinary*; D004216:Distemper / Q000191:economics / Q000453:epidemiology*; D004285:Dogs; D009073:Mozambique / Q000453:epidemiology; D014765:Viral Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000191:economics
chemical_list: D014765:Viral Vaccines
keywords: Canine distemper; dogs; outbreak; animal welfare; Mozambique.