PREVALENCE OF VESICULAR EXANTHEMA OF SWINE ANTIBODIES AMONG FERAL MAMMALS ASSOCIATED WITH SOUTHERN-CALIFORNIA COASTAL ZONES

Abstract

Serum-neutralizing antibodies to both vesicular exanthema of swine virus (VESV) and San Miguel sea lion virus (SMSV) were found in a number of animal species having an association with the southern California, USA, coastal zones. California sea lions (Zalophus californianus) had antibodies to 9 VESV types (A48, C52, D53, E54, F54, G55, I55, J56 and K56). Fur seals (Callorhinus ursinus) and elephant seal pups (Mirounga angustirostris) were tested for antibodies to 6 VESV types and all were negative. California gray whales (Eschrichtius robustus) were tested for antibodies to 9 VESV types. Sperm whale (Physeter catodon), finback whale (Balaenoptera physalus) and sei whale (B. borealis) were tested for 6 VESV types. Among the last 4 spp., antibodies were present for each VESV type except C52, and all species were positive for antibodies to 2 or more VESV types. Feral swine from both Santa Cruz Island and Santa Catalina Island were tested and antibodies were present for 8 of 9 VESV types and all SMSV types except SMSV-4. One donkey from San Miguel Island was positive for VESV I55 and 2 were positive for SMSV-2.