Canine Distemper, central nervous disease and death in badgers in Denmark

Journal

The Veterinary Record, Volume 154, Number 17, 24 April 2004, pp. 527-530(4) - BVA Publications

Authors

Hammer A.S.; Dietz H.H.; Andersen T.H.; Nielsen L.; Blixenkrone-Moeller M.

Abstract

During the summer of 2002 a distemper-like disease was observed in the free-ranging badger population in Denmark. It was characterised by grand seizures, abnormal behaviour and death; the badgers all had severe chronic pneumonia and some had non-suppurative encephalomyelitis. In this study, eight of the affected badgers were examined by gross pathological, histological, immunohistological, bacteriological, parasitological and virological methods, and were diagnosed with distemper; canine distemper virus was identified.

Keywords

Canine distemper virus; Eurasian badger; Meles meles; Wildlife; PCR

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