Cross-species infections of Formosan ferret-badger (Melogale moschata subaurantiaca) rabies from 2013 to 2021 in Taiwan

Authors

  • Wen-Jane Tu
  • Kwong-Chung Tung
  • Tien-Huan Hsu
  • Cheng-Yao Yang
  • Chung-Ching Lin
  • Cheng-Hung Lai
  • Chang-Young Fei

Keywords:

cross-species transmission, Formosan ferret-badger, Taiwan, rabies, wildlife diseases

Abstract

This study is the first survey about the cross-species transmission of Formosan ferret-badger rabies worldwide. Only the Chinese mainland and Taiwan are the epidemic areas for this disease. In Taiwan, this disease first surfaced in 2013. There were 12 cases of cross-species transmission from 2013 to the end of 2021. These cases involved four species including one Asian house shrew (Suncus murinus), one 6-week-old puppy, nine masked palm civets (Paguma larvata), and one yellow-throated marten (Martes flavigula). Among the 12 cases of cross-species transmission, only the puppy, yellow-throated marten, and two masked palm civets had health feature records. Ticks and maggots parasitized the yellow-throated marten, and no other animals were found to be ectoparasites infested. To sum up, the animals with health features manifested emaciated and/or immature features. Additionally, the 12 cases of cross-species transmission occurred in the mountainous area or the rural area rather than the urban area. The risks of cross-species infection of Formosan ferret-badger rabies were discussed by quoting related research reports in recent years.

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Published

2023-02-06

How to Cite

Tu, W.-J. ., Tung, K.-C. ., Hsu, T.-H. ., Yang, C.-Y. ., Lin, C.-C. ., Lai, C.-H. ., & Fei, C.-Y. . (2023). Cross-species infections of Formosan ferret-badger (Melogale moschata subaurantiaca) rabies from 2013 to 2021 in Taiwan. The Thai Journal of Veterinary Medicine, 52(4), 781–787. Retrieved from https://he01.tci-thaijo.org/index.php/tjvm/article/view/261546

Issue

Section

Short Communications