Surveillance for evidence of West Nile virus (WNV) infection in Morelet’s crocodiles (Crocodylus moreletii) was conducted in Campeche State, Mexico, in 2007. Sera from 62 crocodiles (32 free-ranging and 30 captive) were assayed for antibodies to WNV by epitope-blocking enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Antibodies to WNV were detected in 13 (41%) wild and nine (30%) captive crocodiles, and the overall antibody prevalence was 35%. Although evidence of WNV infection in captive crocodiles has been reported in Mexico, we provide the first evidence of WNV exposure in wild crocodiles in Mexico.
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1 July 2013
Antibodies to West Nile Virus in Wild and Farmed Crocodiles in Southeastern Mexico
Carlos Machain-Williams,
Sergio E. Padilla-Paz,
Manuel Weber,
Rosa Cetina-Trejo,
José Alfredo Juarez-Ordaz,
María Alba Loroño-Pino,
Armando Ulloa,
Chong Wang,
Julián Garcia-Rejon,
and Bradley J. Blitvich
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Journal of Wildlife Diseases
Vol. 49 • No. 3
July 2013
Vol. 49 • No. 3
July 2013
crocodile
flavivirus
Mexico
surveillance
West Nile virus