Williams E S, Thorne E T, Appel M J, Belitsky D W
Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Wyoming, Laramie 82070.
J Wildl Dis. 1988 Jul;24(3):385-98. doi: 10.7589/0090-3558-24.3.385.
In September and October 1985, six black-footed ferrets (Mustela nigripes) were captured from the only known population, located near Meeteetse, Wyoming for captive propagation. Two days following capture an adult male showed signs of canine distemper and an adult female displayed similar signs 7 days postcapture; these infections were undoubtedly acquired prior to capture. Subsequently the four remaining captive black-footed ferrets also developed canine distemper and all eventually died. Clinical signs included severe pruritus, hyperkeratosis and progressive loss of body condition. A few animals had intermittent diarrhea and respiratory disease. Intranuclear and intracytoplasmic inclusion bodies were numerous in epithelial tissues and two black-footed ferrets had a mild to moderate meningoencephalitis. Canine distemper virus was isolated from four animals and paramyxovirus nucleocapsids were observed by electron microscopy of feces from all affected black-footed ferrets. Antibodies to canine distemper virus were not detected in sera of sick black-footed ferrets. Antibodies to canine distemper virus were found in sera of badgers (Taxidea taxus) and coyotes (Canis latrans) collected in the Meeteetse area in 1986. Most free-ranging black-footed ferrets in the colony apparently died of canine distemper during the summer and fall of 1985. An attempt was made to capture all surviving animals in the affected area in order to abort the epizootic and provide black-footed ferrets for captive propagation.
1985年9月和10月，从位于怀俄明州米蒂茨附近唯一已知的黑足雪貂种群中捕获了6只黑足雪貂（鼬属黑足鼬）用于圈养繁殖。捕获两天后，一只成年雄性黑足雪貂出现犬瘟热症状，一只成年雌性在捕获7天后也出现类似症状；这些感染无疑是在捕获前就已感染。随后，其余4只圈养的黑足雪貂也感染了犬瘟热，最终全部死亡。临床症状包括严重瘙痒、角化过度和身体状况逐渐变差。一些动物有间歇性腹泻和呼吸道疾病。上皮组织中可见大量核内和胞质内包涵体，两只黑足雪貂有轻度至中度脑膜脑炎。从4只动物中分离出犬瘟热病毒，通过电子显微镜观察所有受影响黑足雪貂的粪便，发现了副粘病毒核衣壳。患病黑足雪貂的血清中未检测到犬瘟热病毒抗体。1986年在米蒂茨地区采集的獾（美洲獾）和郊狼（犬属草原狼）的血清中发现了犬瘟热病毒抗体。该种群中大多数自由放养的黑足雪貂显然在1985年夏秋死于犬瘟热。为了阻止疫情流行并为圈养繁殖提供黑足雪貂，人们试图捕获受影响地区所有幸存的动物。
