Need to know how Awang Besul got canine distemper, says expert
Advertisement
IT is critical to know how Awang Besul, the tiger that wandered into a village in Dungun, Terengganu, contracted the canine distemper virus, so as to stop its spread among wildlife, said an expert on the species.
Dr Mark Rayan of the World Wide Fund for Nature-Malaysia told The Malaysian Insight that the authorities are still unsure how the animal contracted the virus, stressing that it is important to determine the matter to prevent the spread of the disease.
Canine distemper usually afflicts domestic cats and dogs, he said, but there have been cases of it appearing in wild dogs, too.
“Tigers are known to have killed dogs. Perhaps this one (Awang Besul) strayed close to some villages and killed a dog. One known case took place in Russia, where a tiger strayed into town after contracting the virus.
“It has been documented that canine distemper wiped out small populations of lions in Africa.
“Once contracted, the virus targets the central nervous system, causing the animal to be disoriented.”
Canine distemper is caused by a paramyxovirus. Besides domestic cats and dogs, the highly contagious disease is also known to affect wild animals, such as raccoons, foxes and skunks.
Symptoms start showing 10 to 14 days after infection, and include eye and nose discharge, breathing difficulties, cough and pneumonia. Fever, anorexia and respiratory tract issues are most common.
Transmission occurs from contact with an infected animal’s saliva, urine, faeces and other secretions.
There is no cure for canine distemper, only supportive care, making preventive measures key to keeping the disease in check.
The Wildlife and National Parks Department, in a statement on Tuesday, said despite efforts made to save Awang Besul, which was sent to the National Wildlife Rescue Centre in Sungkai, Perak, for treatment, the male tiger died. – July 25, 2019.