WVI publishes a review into what diseases affect endangered African painted dogs*, as packs in Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Game Reserve, South Africa are vaccinated against Canine Distemper Virus following a lethal outbreak in August.

WVI has published a literature review of diseases affecting free ranging painted dogs. It is the first steps into understanding the disease threats that painted dogs in Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe, face.

‍

WVI has been working in NW Zimbabwe with local conservation NGO, Painted Dog Conservation, to reduce the threat to painted dogs in the area. We have been running a series of vaccination and neutering clinics for domestic dogs in villages close to PDC’s Rehabilitation Centre since 2010. The clinics are valuable locally to the health and welfare of not only the domestic dog population but also the human population in the case of Rabies. The clinics provide PDC another opportunity to demonstrate to the local population the benefits of living with African painted dogs. These awareness raising exercises contribute to the reduction in local persecution of wildlife. In 2015 WVI instigated further investigation in to the diseases relevant to painted dogs throughout their range and within the Hwange National Park area. We hope to use this information to reduce any risks we find. Today we publish the ‘Literature Review of Diseases of Free-ranging African Wild Dogs, Lycaon pictus’ by WVI’s epidemiologist, Dr Alex Tomlinson. It is the first step in summarising the background knowledge from with our vets and collaborators can work. Dr Tomlinson concluded that increased contact between painted dogs and domestic dogs in association with habitat degradation can result in fatal outbreaks of rabies.  Domestic dog vaccination can contribute to reducing the problem. But as ever, it is not quite that simple! Data from the outbreak that killed 12 painted dogs in one pack** in the Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Game Reserve, South Africa has not been included in this review due to timings. However, it does include evidence of resistance to anthrax and canine distemper virus and other packs have been known to be wiped out. These diseases may have an increasing effect as the painted dogs continue to be pushed to the edge of their existence. 

‍

 Painted dogs have disappeared from much of their former range in sub-Saharan Africa and appear to still be in decline. Habitat fragmentation and human population growth have contributed significantly to reducing numbers. Particularly conflict with livestock farmers, road traffic collisions and accidental by-catch in snares. And disease? Co-operative hunting and breeding behaviours, central to painted dog ecology, depend on pack being a certain size. As the pack sizes diminish, so does the probability of survival. Small pack sizes are highly vulnerable to the effects of infectious disease outbreaks. Canine Distemper Virus is a highly contagious and serious viral illness with no known cure. The disease affects domestic dogs and certain wildlife species. Owners of domestic dogs in the UK at least, should have their dogs routinely vaccinated against this virus. What is next? Armed with the review WVI’s carnivore expert, Dr John Lewis, will visit PDC and partners in Zimbabwe to discuss the broader disease surveillance opportunities. John will:

• gather information,
• identify the surveillance opportunities,
• discover logistic issues,
• discuss local laboratory capacity and needs,
• identify opportunities for sample collection from domestic dogs, painted dogs and other relevant wildlife species,
• ascertain training and equipment requirements and
• most importantly propose a budget for the programme.

‍

Coordinating surveillance activities and collating results will be a large task. A coordinator (preferably local) must be identified and supported. This is another task for the exploratory visit, and perhaps the most difficult!   Thank you to the following for funding this part of the project:

Chester Zoo - Act For WildlifeKnowsley Safari ParkYorkshire Wildlife Park

The project report can be found here and the full disease review can be found here. ** For more on this story please click here and here