Viral Diseases

Question 1

Rabies

Rhabdovirus

Answer 1

• first stage 1-6 days after infection: behaviour changes, excitability, altered vocalizations
• second stage 1-4 days after that: progressive paralysis and then death
• in humans incubation can be from 9 days to more than 2 years, clinical course will take 2-8 days
• transmission via saliva
• no treatment, just vaccination

Question 2

West Nile Virus

A flavivirus

Answer 2

• may be asymptomatic, in case of acute condition: anorexia, convulsions, death
• in humans: neck stiffness, disorientation, convulsions, paralysis, coma and/or death (3-15% of cases)
• transmitted by mosquitos, present in the wild bird population, ticks have been found as carriers but role unknown

Question 3

Equine Encephalitis Virus

(Western, Eastern, Venezuelan)

Answer 3

• causes neurological abnormalities, recumbence and possible death
• in humans: leucocytosis, dizziness, decreasing level of consciousness, tremors, seizures, and focal neurological signs death can occur within 3-5 days of infection, those that survive are likely to have permanent neurological damage
• transmitted from birds to humans via mosquitos

Question 4

Creutzfeldt-Jakob Diseases

Bovine spongiform encephalopathy prion

Answer 4

• cattle are most important host, also infects other ruminants, cats, deer, elk, exotic hoofstock
• in animals: hypersensitivity, high-stepping gait, weightloss/anorexia, pruritus, excessive licking, ataxia
• in humans: as disease progresses, motor difficulties, involuntary movemnets, mental deterioration, and death
• transmitted via bovine products, especially if contaminated with CNS tissue

Question 5

Brucella spp

Brucellosis

Answer 5

• dogs, swine, sheep, cattle
• causes abortion, infertility, poor semen quality in animals
• transmission by exposure to blood, semen, fetal tissue, vaginal secretions, and milk

Question 6

Campylobacter spp.

Campylobacteriosis

Answer 6

• can be asymptomatic to diarrhea
• transmission via fecal-oral route

Question 7

Leptospira spp

Leptospirosis

Answer 7

• also known as Weil’s disease
• asymptomatic to severe infection, bloody diarrhea, hematuria, icterus, renal failure in animals
• flu-like symptoms, sudden fever, muscle pain, kidney and/or liver failure in humans
• transmission via urine direct or indirect

Question 8

Pasteurellosis

Answer 8

• also known as rabbit snuffles and shipping fever
• causes broad spectrum respiratory disease, septicemia in animals
• localized infections in humans
• transmitted via bites or scratches

Question 9

Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae

Answer 9

• fowl (wild and domestic), swine
• raised reddish-purple lesions, arhtritis, endocarditis and possible death in animals
• Erysipeloid in humans, raised lesions with severe pain and swelling on fingers and hands
• transmitted by scratches, abrasions or puncture wounds

Question 10

Francisella tularensis

Tularemia

Answer 10

• also known as rabbit fever
• causes septicemia and possible death
• transmitted via blood/tissue of infected animal, infected ticks

Question 11

Moraxella spp.

Answer 11

• causes conjunctivitis, otitis media, resp disease
• transmitted via direct contact, aerosol and environmental transmission

Question 12

Bordetella bronchiseptica

Bordetellosis

Answer 12

• causes resp. problems and snuffles in rabbits
• transmitted via saliva, sputnum, sneezing

Question 13

Yersiniosis

Answer 13

• also known as the plague
• causes acute Bubonic fever in humans
• transmitted by flea bites, inhalation of aerosolized contaminants, direct contact with infected animals