Serological Survey of 8 Bovine Viral Pathogens in Sika Deer( Cervus nippon)of Northern Japan

Abstract

A seroepidemiological examination of 8 bovine viral pathogens was conducted on free-ranging and farmed sika deer(Cervus nippon)of Northern Japan. Blood samples were collected from 156 of these deer at 7 locations in Aomori, Iwate and Miyagi prefectures during 1991 through 1993. Antibodies to bovine corona virus(95%), bovine rotavirus(45%), Akabane disease virus(38%), bluetongue virus(25%), parainfluenza virus-3(18%), bovine virus diarrhea-mucosal disease virus(3%)and bovine herpesvirus 1(1%)were detected. No serologic reactor to bovine leukosis virus was found. The pathogenicity of these bovine viruses for the sika deer has not been well documented, but it has been suggested that these deer could be important viral reservoirs for some bovine viral pathogens in Japan.