| Summary: | 碩士 === 國立屏東科技大學 === 野生動物保育研究所 === 97 === Canine distemper (CD) is one of the most serious infectious diseases for domestic dogs. Domestic dogs are considered a primary reservoir of the canine distemper virus (CDV) and are also a major source for wildlife infection. In 2005, CDV-caused dead wild ferret-badgers (Melogale moschata subaurantiaca) were reported from Taoyuan and Liouguei Townships, Kaohsiung Country, Taiwan. The present study was conducted between September 2006 and march 2008 for an understanding of the epidemiology of CD in domestic dogs in the area and their responsibility in the infection of CDV in wildlife populations. A total of 547 serum samples and 398 blood and / or conjunctival swabs of domestic dogs from 12 suburban villages in the area were collected during the study. Owners were also interviewed with structural questionear for collecting of related backgrounds of the dog they have. The seroprevalence of domestic dogs is 93.1％, while 40.9％ dogs were CDV-positive. Result from RT-PCR showed the percentage of CDV-positive cases in winter and spring were 5.3 and 5.4 times higher than in summer, respectively, while indirect ELISA showed the percentage of antibody-positive cases in autumn was 7.7 times higher than in winter. The percentage of antibody-positive cases in dogs older than 1-year old was significant higher than in younger dogs. 12.6％ dogs will hunt wild carnivores, especially ferret- badger and Himalayan weasel (Mustela sibirica). The present study showed that the domestic dog in the area has high infection rate and high excretion rate of the CDV, and their hunting behavior and activeness in wildlife habitats increased the possibility of transferring the CDV to wild carnivres. Vaccination for CD on dogs in such kind of environment is necessary, also important are the restriction of dogs’ free-ranging behaviour and avoid entering wildlife habitats during low temperature season when the infection rate of CDV is high amount domestic dogs.
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