CIRCULATION AND PRESENTATION OF CANINE DISTEMPER VIRUS AMONG VARIOUS FOX SPECIES

Canine distemper virus (CDV) is a highly contagious and often fatal virus that affects members of the Canidae family. Foxes are susceptible to CDV, and outbreaks among fox populations have been reported in several species. The symptoms of distemper in foxes are similar to those in domestic dogs. Foxes may contract the virus directly from infected animals or via exposure to a contaminated environment. Among domestic animals’ dogs are often a source of infection for domestic and wildlife populations, while among wildlife primary sources are other wildlife through direct contact or vectors such as insects. This review comprehensively discusses the virus itself, its pathology, clinical signs, diagnostic methods, treatment options, preventive measures, and its impact on fox populations. Wildlife veterinarians and researchers monitor and study the impact of diseases like distemper on fox populations. Understanding the spread and prevalence of such diseases is crucial for wildlife conservation efforts. Kroženje in predstavitev virusa pasje kuge med različnimi vrstami lisic Izvleček: Virus pasje kuge (CDV) je zelo nalezljiv in pogosto smrtonosen virus, ki prizadene pripadnike družine Canidae. Lisice so dovzetne za CDV, o izbruhih v populacijah lisic pa so poročali pri več vrstah. Simptomi kuge pri lisicah so podobni tistim pri domačih psih. Lisice se lahko z virusom okužijo neposredno od okuženih živali ali z izpostavljenostjo okuženemu okolju. Med domačimi živalmi so psi pogosto vir okužbe za domače in divje živalske populacije, med divjimi živalmi pa so glavni vir okužbe druge divje živali prek neposrednega stika ali prenašalcev, kot so žuželke. Ta pregled izčrpno obravnava virus, njegovo patologijo, klinične znake, diagnostične metode, možnosti zdravljenja, preventivne ukrepe in njegov vpliv na populacije lisic. Veterinarji in raziskovalci prostoživečih živali spremljajo in preučujejo vpliv različnih bolezni, kot je kuga, na populacije lisic. Razumevanje prenosa in razširjenosti teh bolezni je ključno pri prizadevanjih za ohranjanje prostoživečih živali. Ključne besede: virus pasje kuge; lisica; Vulpes vulpes; Canidae; virus; obolevnost