Pigs could give early warnings of Zika virus

In a recent publication in Vector-borne and Zoonotic Diseases, scientists from Kansas State University and Colorado State University describe how they did a series of experimental infections. They did so, to investigate whether animals within certain taxonomic groups in North America have the potential to serve as Zika virus amplifying or maintenance hosts.

Apart from pigs and cottontail rabbits, species investigated armadillos, goats, mink, chickens, pigeons, ground hogs, deer mice, cattle, raccoons, ducks, Syrian Golden hamsters, garter snakes, leopard frogs and house sparrows.

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Neutralising antibodies in pigs

The researchers described how infectious virus was isolated from blood only in frogs and armadillos; however, the magnitude of viraemia was low, they wrote. In addition, neutralising antibodies were detected after infection in goats, rabbits, ducks, frogs and pigs.

From the study, the researchers indicated that animals tested to date are unlikely to act as animal reservoirs for Zika virus, but that rabbits and pigs could potentially serve as sentinel species.

Zika virus and its symptoms

Zika virus made worldwide headlines in 2015 and 2016. While Zika virus itself causes no or only mild symptoms, the virus was found to be able to spread from a pregnant woman to her foetus, which may lead to microcephaly or brain malformations.

The researchers added that understanding the transmission cycle and maintenance of Zika virus in animals will help in developing effective surveillance programmes and preventative measures for future outbreaks.

The paper was written by Izabela K. Ragan, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS, United States; and Emily L. Blizzard, Paul Gordy and Richard A. Bowen, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, United States.