A serological survey of cattle in the Thames - Coromandel district of New Zealand for antibodies to Ross River virus

Authors: Gradwell B, Dymond M, Hueston L, Clough RR, Mackereth GF, McFadden AMJ, McFadden BD
Publication: New Zealand Veterinary Journal, Volume 57, Issue 2, pp 116-120, Apr 2009
Publisher: Taylor and Francis

Animal type: Cattle, Human, Livestock, Production animal, Ruminant
Subject Terms: Biosecurity, Clinical pathology, Diagnostic procedures, Disease surveillance, Epidemiology, Parasites - external, Pest/pesticides, Public health, Viral, Zoonosis, Infectious disease
Article class: Short Communication

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Abstract: AIM: To determine if cattle exposed to the southern saltmarsh mosquito (SSM), Aedes camptorhynchus, in the Thames-Coromandel district of New Zealand had been exposed to Ross River virus (RRV).
METHODS: A purposive sampling design was used to test cattle from seven farms located in close proximity to four sites infested with A. camptorhynchus in the Thames-Coromandel district. Sera from 207 cattle were tested for antibodies to RRV, using an ELISA and confirmatory virus neutralisation test (VNT) as the gold standard.
RESULTS: All 207 cattle tested negative for antibodies to RRV using the ELISA and VNT.
CONCLUSIONS: This study found no evidence of exposure to RRV in cattle in locations in the Thames-Coromandel district of New Zealand where populations of SSM were present.
KEY WORDS: Aedes camptorhynchus, Southern saltmarsh mosquito, Ross river virus, New Zealand, surveillance, cattle hosts, sentinels

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