Virus seems to be the latest threat to big cats now. Months ago, National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) had sounded alert in the tiger reserves about deadly Canine Distemper Virus (CDV) affecting tigers and canines.
Now two more viruses — Foot and Mouth Disease virus and Kyasanur Forest Disease (KFD) virus — are haunting tiger sanctuaries and parks. While the former is largely transmitted through livestock, the latter — also called monkey fever — is passed on through arboreal animals.
Sources in NTCA said CDV was so far a mere threat in India and the various tiger reserves were directed to beef up measures to prevent big cats falling prey to it. local communities living on the fringes of tiger reserves were also told to keep watch and inform the authorities in case of deaths of dogs, who are seen as the carrier of CDV, so that that carcass could be disposed to check transmission of the disease.
But FMD and KFD are more worrying, considering their agents of transmission, said the sources. One way of preventing the spread of the disease it to strictly prevent the entry of cattle within the reserve because cattle are believed to be carriers of FMD, experts said. The disease is characterised by vesicles on feet, snout and mouth. later erosions from the vesicles are commonly found on the muzzle, tongue oral cavity, and on the skin near the hoofs.
KFD virus causing monkey fever is spread through air or directly through the ticks and is highly contagious. Monkeys, reptiles and cattle are also carriers. Cases of KFD, on the other hand, have been reported from Maddur Range of Bandipur Tiger Reserve of Karnataka.
Sharing his worries on the issue, HC Kantharaju, Conservator, Bandipur Tiger Reserve, said, “We have taken up large scale vaccination programme to check the spread of this disease from cattle to wild ungulates such as antelopes and bisons.”
NTCA has released funds to buy vaccine in case the veterinary department does not have stocks of vaccine vials. However, no deaths of tigers or ungulates have so far been reported from the tiger reserves, he said. “All quarantine measures are in place and we are working overtime to prevent the spread of these diseases,” he said. Similar steps have also been taken in Nagerhole National Park in the State.