EPIZOOTIC OF CANINE DISTEMPER VIRUS INFECTION AMONG URBAN RACCOONS AND GRAY FOXES

Abstract

An epizootic of canine distemper (CD) virus infection is described among raccoons and gray foxes in urban Sarasota County, Florida. The epizootic persisted for 2 years with a total of 114 raccoons and 8 gray foxes being handled by Sarasota County Animal Control. Virus was isolated from clinically ill raccoons on two separate occasions, 7 months apart. CD antibodies were detected in 54.5% of a sample comprising both clinically ill and apparently normal raccoons. The incidence of CD in dogs in the county did not increase during the 2 year period.