Persistence of genetic variants of the arctic fox strain of Rabies virus in southern Ontario

Genetic-variant analysis of rabies viruses provides the most sensitive epidemiologic tool for following the spread and persistence of these viruses in their wildlife hosts. Since its introduction by a southern epizootic movement that began in the far north, the arctic fox (AFX) strain of Rabies viru...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Canadian journal of veterinary research 2006, Vol.70 (1), p.11-19
Main Authors: Nadin-Davis, S.A, Muldoon, F, Wandeler, A.I
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animals
Animals, Wild - virology
disease incidence
Disease Outbreaks - veterinary
disease reservoirs
Foxes - virology
Genetic Variation
geographical distribution
Ontario - epidemiology
Phylogeny
Rabies - epidemiology
Rabies - veterinary
Rabies - virology
Rabies virus
Rabies virus - classification
Rabies virus - genetics
RNA, Viral - analysis
skunks
strain differences
temporal variation
Vulpes vulpes
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Summary:Genetic-variant analysis of rabies viruses provides the most sensitive epidemiologic tool for following the spread and persistence of these viruses in their wildlife hosts. Since its introduction by a southern epizootic movement that began in the far north, the arctic fox (AFX) strain of Rabies virus has been enzootic in Ontario for almost 50 y. Prior genetic studies identified 4 principal genetic variants (ONT.T1 to ONT.T4) that were localized to different regions of the province; furthermore, these viruses could be distinguished from the variant circulating in northern regions of Quebec, Newfoundland, and arctic zones, ARC.T5. Despite an intensive provincial control program undertaken over the last decade that involved aerial distribution of baits laden with rabies vaccine to combat fox rabies throughout the enzootic zone of Ontario, pockets of rabies activity persist. Re-evaluation of the genetic characteristics of the viral variants circulating in these areas of persistence has been undertaken. These data demonstrate that the recent outbreaks are, with 1 exception, due to persistence of the regional variant first identified in the area in the early 1990s. In contrast, the disease in the Georgian Bay area is a consequence of the incursion of a variant previously found further south. An outbreak that occurred in northern Ontario north and west of North Bay and in the neighboring border areas of Quebec in 2000-2001 was due to renewed incursion of the ARC.T5 variant from more northerly areas.
ISSN:0830-9000