(USA) Fatal Hemorrhagic Feline Calicivirus Disease Outbreak

[Guest guest]

From Calici Watch USA

Date 01:03 Jul 13

Subject Hemorrhagic Calicivirus Fatal Disease Feline Outbreak

 

Please Cross Post to all appropriate Rabbit Lists and Cat health lists.

 

An outbreak of a new virulent strain of Feline Calicivirus which causes

fatal hemorrhagic disease has occurred in Los Angeles. Thirty cats have

died so far in this epidemic which appears to be as contained as an outbreak

of Caliciviruses can be. The first outbreak of this virulent strain was

said to be contained as well. If so why are there additional outbbreaks?

Either containment is inadequate or Caliciviruses are spreading

without being controlled.

 

Take your pick, either way we are facing a dangerous viral family.

There is no reason to believe that RHD has crossed species.

A genetic sequence

of this new strain of Caliciviridae proved it to be closely linked to SMSV,

 

San Miguel Sea Lion Virus, which is indistinguisable from VESV, Vesicular

Exanthema of Swine Virus. Samples from the current outbreak will be

sequenced to see if it is the same as the types found in Oregon and

sequenced by Dr. Alvin Smith, (not yet gone through peer review process,).

To our knowledge the outbreak in California, that was the subject of a paper

by Pedersen, et al of UC Davis, did not go so far as to sequence the virus

involved although we are unsure of that. RHD is genetically closer to

Sapoviruses, one of the " human " calicivirus groups than Vesiviruses, the

group Feline

Calicivirus, VESV, and SMSV belong to.

Conflicting information is being attributed to UC Davis researchers

regarding disinfection and quarantine. We will try to reach them to define

their

recommendations.

The Coalition is unaware of any research regarding disinfection and

quarantine protocol and so is recommending that protocol for RHD should be

followed.

 

This may be overkill. Better to be safe than sorry.

There is no reason to believe that rabbits are directly at risk if exposed

to the current outbreak. In reading the emails and reports from researchers

it is a deja vu experience, reminiscent of the first outbreak of RHD in

the U.S.

 

Regards,

RHD in the US Coalition