Login With Google
Canine Distemper Virus (CDV)
Why is it in news?
- Gir sanctuary in Gujarat had death of 21 lions in the just a month.
- In 1994, the Canine Distemper Virus (CDV) was responsible for an epidemic in the Serengetti region of Africa, where 1,000 lions died in 3 weeks.
- While the virus abounds in local tiger populations in Gujarat and is linked to deaths every year, this year it has seen a spike.
Canine Distemper Virus (CDV)
How does Canine Distemper Virus(CDV) affects animals?
- CDV impacts different systems of the body including nervous and respiratory system in these animals. It shatters the immunity system and causes various secondary bacterial infections.
- As this disease damages the brain of the animal, it severely affects their decision making power. Due to this, the animals go beyond their natural habitat and enter human settlements. It renders them easy prey for poachers.How does the infection of Canine Distemper Virus(CDV) occur?
- Activities of direct contact like licking are the major source of CDV transmission among tigers, lions and red pandas. Besides this, eating dogs infected with the virus, drinking water from same source are some other modes of transmission of infection.Can Canine Distemper Virus (CDV) be checked?
- Yes. If all the dogs in the buffer zone of forest are vaccinated, it can stop the spread of disease.
Sources
The Hindu,IUCN