A new EWCP paper, published this month in Emerging Infectious Diseases (CDC), describes for the first time the threat faced by Ethiopian wolves when outbreaks of rabies and canine distemper (CDV) occur simultaneously.
Infectious diseases are an increasing concern for people and wildlife alike, and they remain an enormous conservation challenge for Ethiopian wolves. While the risks of rabies and canine distemper infections in endangered species have been analyzed separately, this study by EWCP Senior Scientist Jorgelina Marino and colleagues considers the potential impact of concurrent infections.
Using unprecedented EWCP data from simultaneous outbreaks of rabies and canine distemper in 2019, we were able to show that concurrent infections can increase death rates, and that sustained and comprehensive disease surveillance is required to detect and react to such events. These results can also be applied to the risk analysis and surveillance of other endangered mammals, stressing that modelling each disease alone might actually “underestimate the risk for extinction” that they pose.
In 2019, this disastrous disease outbreak spread throughout the Bale Mountains – affecting 19 packs across 4 subpopulations. Between March and November, 57 carcasses were found, and another 5 wolves were observed with advanced clinical signs of infection. Overall, during these troubling 8 months, populations declined by 60% in the Sanetti Plateau and 53% in Web Valley.
Our subsequent sample collection and laboratory analyses from 19 of the wolves found 7 positive tests for rabies, and 13 positive tests for canine distemper, with one animal even testing positive for both. Simultaneous outbreaks like this may have a larger effect than those of just a single disease, even in populations with partial vaccination coverage.
Challenging years like 2019 serve to highlight the continued importance of EWCP’s holistic approach to disease management and response. Year-round intensive monitoring of wolf packs by our monitor teams is vital for early detection and timely interventions. The vaccination of both domestic dogs and the wolves themselves by our vet teams have the potential to reduce the risk of population extinctions.
At the same time, the work of our Living with Wolves team tries to combat the spread of disease by encouraging better dog-ownership practices – aiming to reduce their ability to roam freely into wolf habitat. Such awareness campaigns also play an important role in improving human health as part of a One Health framework.
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This month, donations to EWCP via WCN are doubled thanks to a generous match-funding commitment. Every wolf counts, and so does every one of their supporters. Together we can prevent future extinctions. Follow the link here and select ‘Ethiopian Wolves’.