An assessment of Zoonotic and Production Limiting Pathogens in Rusa Deer (Cervus timorensis rusa) from Mauritius

Abstract

Summary A population of approximately 70 000 rusa deer (Cervus timorensis russa) represents the most important mammal species reared for food on the island of Mauritius, being the main source of red meat for the local population. However, very limited information is available on the circulation of pathogens affecting the productivity and health of this species. To produce baseline data on the circulation of infectious pathogens in rusa deer under production, a serological survey and/or direct pathogen detection for six selected infectious diseases was undertaken in 2007 in a sample of 53% of the herds reared in semi‐free‐ranging conditions in hunting estates. Seropositive results were recorded for Johne's disease with an indirect ELISA test (1.7%, n = 351), heartwater with an immunofluorescence antibody test (IFAT) (95.5%, n = 178) and leptospirosis with a Microscopic Agglutination Test (MAT) (25.9%, n = 363). Significant associations were found between seroprevalence to some of the leptospiral serogroups detected (Tarassovi, Pomona, Sejroe and Mini) and age of the animals, animal density or location of the estates (being more prevalent in hotter and more humid areas). In addition, Mycobacterium bovis and M. avium subspecies paratuberculosis were confirmed in two deer carcasses by culture and PCR, respectively. No antibodies against Brucella spp. nor Rift Valley Fever virus were detected with the use of respective indirect ELISA's. The results obtained suggest that the population of rusa deer from Mauritius is exposed to a wide range of pathogens which may affect their productivity. In addition, the results highlight the potential public health risks incurred by deer industry workers and consumers. This survey fills an important gap in knowledge regarding the health of tropical deer meat in Mauritius and justifies the need to implement more regular surveys of selected pathogens in the deer population.

Occurrence of antibodies anti -Toxoplasma gondii, Neospora caninum and Leptospira interrogans in a captive deer herd in Southern Brazil

“…Moreover, these animals have been also indicated as reservoir for Leptospira spp. (JORI et al, 2014). A serological comparison between two distinct pampas deer populations showed that there was no exposure to Leptospira spp.…”

Global Comprehensive Literature Review and Meta-Analysis of Brucella spp. in Swine Based on Publications From 2000 to 2020

“…These results can be interpreted in the context of the world's vast territory with different countries having different characteristics during summer. Meta-analyses showed that the incidence rates of Brucella in cattle and deer were higher in hotter and more humid areas (81,82). Therefore, we speculate that a similar phenomenon occurs in pigs with brucellosis.…”

Paving the way for human vaccination against Rift Valley fever virus: A systematic literature review of RVFV epidemiology from 1999 to 2021

“…The virus continues to expand its range across Africa countries and into new regions within endemic countries [59,159]. It should be noted that among studies that were technically excluded from our review, there were several completely negative serosurveys of animals performed in Spain [52], the Canary Islands [53], Mauritius [160], Zanzibar [161], South Korea [55], and Poland [54]. Expansion of RVFV transmission has been aided by livestock movement [34,[162][163][164][165] and the increasing frequency of extreme weather events involving heavy rainfall and flooding [60].…”