Sealpox Virus in Marine Mammal Rehabilitation Facilities, North America, 2007–2009

Roess, Amira; Levine, Rebecca S.; Barth, Laura; Monroe, Benjamin; Carroll, Darin S.; Damon, Inger K.; Reynolds, Mary G.

doi:10.3201/eid1712.101945

Cited by 19 publications

(11 citation statements)

References 17 publications

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“…While some are species-specific, others can infect a broad species range [ 21 ]. Poxvirus has been identified in eight species of the superfamily Pinnipedia [ 22 ]: five belong to the family Phocidae [grey seal ( Halichoerus grypus ) [ 23 - 28 ], harbor seal ( Phoca vitulina ) [ 29 , 30 , 28 ], Mediterranean monk seal ( Monachus monachus ) [ 31 ], spotted seal ( Phoca largha ) [ 32 , 33 ] and Weddell seal ( Leptonychotes weddellii ) [ 34 ]], and three belong to the family Otariidae [California sea lion ( Zalophus californianus ) [ 28 ], Steller sea lion ( Eumetopias jubatus ) [ 35 , 32 ] and South American sea lion ( Otaria flavescens ) [ 36 ]]. Some of these pinniped poxviruses have zoonotic potential and can cause lesions in humans, mostly on the skin [ 23 , 37 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

First molecular detection and characterization of herpesvirus and poxvirus in a Pacific walrus (Odobenus rosmarus divergens)

et al. 2014

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BackgroundHerpesvirus and poxvirus can infect a wide range of species: herpesvirus genetic material has been detected and amplified in five species of the superfamily Pinnipedia; poxvirus genetic material, in eight species of Pinnipedia. To date, however, genetic material of these viruses has not been detected in walrus (Odobenus rosmarus), another marine mammal of the Pinnipedia clade, even though anti-herpesvirus antibodies have been detected in these animals.Case presentationIn February 2013, a 9-year-old healthy captive female Pacific walrus died unexpectedly at L’Oceanografic (Valencia, Spain). Herpesvirus was detected in pharyngeal tonsil tissue by PCR. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that the virus belongs to the subfamily Gammaherpesvirinae. Poxvirus was also detected by PCR in skin, pre-scapular and tracheobronchial lymph nodes and tonsils. Gross lesions were not detected in any tissue, but histopathological analyses of pharyngeal tonsils and lymph nodes revealed remarkable lymphoid depletion and lymphocytolysis. Similar histopathological lesions have been previously described in bovine calves infected with an alphaherpesvirus, and in northern elephant seals infected with a gammaherpesvirus that is closely related to the herpesvirus found in this case. Intracytoplasmic eosinophilic inclusion bodies, consistent with poxviral infection, were also observed in the epithelium of the tonsilar mucosa.ConclusionTo our knowledge, this is the first molecular identification of herpesvirus and poxvirus in a walrus. Neither virus was likely to have contributed directly to the death of our animal.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

First molecular detection and characterization of herpesvirus and poxvirus in a Pacific walrus (Odobenus rosmarus divergens)

et al. 2014

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“…Humans can become infected by parapoxvirus after direct contact with infected animals or through contaminated fomites. Parapoxvirus species that affect humans are typically host associated: orf virus (the disease is Orf, and is also referred to as ecthyma contagiosum, contagious pustular dermatosis) from sheep and goats (Meechan and MacLeod, ), bovine papular stomatitis virus (BPSV) from cattle (Friedman‐Kien et al., ; Bowman et al., ), pseudocowpox virus (PCPV) (the disease is also referred to as milker's nodule, paravaccinia) from cattle and sealpox virus from pinnipeds (Hicks and Worthy, ; Müller et al., ; Clark et al., ; Nollens et al., ; Roess et al., ). Parapoxviruses have been isolated from cervids, including red deer in New Zealand (Robinson and Mercer, ), from Italy (Scagliarini et al., ) and from reindeer in Northern Europe (Horner et al., ; Tikkanen et al., ; Klein and Tryland, ; Hautaniemi et al., ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Surveillance of Parapoxvirus Among Ruminants in Virginia and Connecticut

Roess

McCollum

Gruszynski

et al. 2013

Zoonoses and Public Health

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In 2008, two deer hunters in Virginia and Connecticut were infected with a unique strain of pseudocowpox virus, a parapoxvirus. To estimate the prevalence of this virus, and in an attempt to define the reservoir, Parapoxvirus surveillance was undertaken between November 2009 and January 2010. 125 samples from four ruminant species (cows, goat, sheep and white-tailed deer) were collected in Virginia, and nine samples from white-tailed deer were collected in Connecticut. We found no evidence that the parapoxvirus species that infected the deer hunters is circulating among domesticated ruminants or white-tailed deer. However, parapoxvirus DNA of a different parapoxvirus species, bovine papular stomatitis virus (BPSV), was detected in 31 samples obtained from asymptomatic cattle in Virginia. Parapoxvirus DNA-positive cattle originated from the same counties indicating probable transmission among animals. Molecular analysis identified BPSV as the parapoxvirus affecting animals. Asymptomatic parapoxvirus infections in livestock, particularly young animals, may be common, and further investigation will inform our knowledge of virus transmission.

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“…Occupational exposure to livestock and poultry contributed substantially to work-related infectious diseases. Twenty-nine cases of Campylobacter infection occurred over a period of several years among workers at a poultry processing plant (17), and sealpox virus infections were reported among animal rescue workers in a marine mammal rehabilitation center (18).…”

Section: Disease Factorsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Case Investigations of Infectious Diseases Occurring in Workplaces, United States, 2006–2015

Su¹,

Perio²,

Cummings³

et al. 2019

Emerg. Infect. Dis.

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Workers in specific settings and activities are at increased risk for certain infectious diseases. When an infectious disease case occurs in a worker, investigators need to understand the mechanisms of disease propagation in the workplace. Few publications have explored these factors in the United States; a literature search yielded 66 investigations of infectious disease occurring in US workplaces during 2006–2015. Reported cases appear to be concentrated in specific industries and occupations, especially the healthcare industry, laboratory workers, animal workers, and public service workers. A hierarchy-of-controls approach can help determine how to implement effective preventive measures in workplaces. Consideration of occupational risk factors and control of occupational exposures will help prevent disease transmission in the workplace and protect workers’ health.

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Sealpox Virus in Marine Mammal Rehabilitation Facilities, North America, 2007–2009

Abstract: Risks for human infection may be appreciable and can be reduced by workplace education.

Cited by 19 publications

References 17 publications

First molecular detection and characterization of herpesvirus and poxvirus in a Pacific walrus (Odobenus rosmarus divergens)

First molecular detection and characterization of herpesvirus and poxvirus in a Pacific walrus (Odobenus rosmarus divergens)

Surveillance of Parapoxvirus Among Ruminants in Virginia and Connecticut

Case Investigations of Infectious Diseases Occurring in Workplaces, United States, 2006–2015

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