Cowpox: reservoir hosts and geographic range

• DOI: 10.1017/s0950268899002423
• Publication Date: 2002-07-27T13:23:42Z
• Authors: J. CHANTREY; H. MEYER; D. BAXBY; M. BEGON; K. J. BOWN; S. M. HAZEL; T. JONES; W. I. MONTGOMERY; M. BENNETT
• Keywords: Cowpox virus; Disease reservoir; Poxviridae; Cowpox; Wood mouse

It is generally accepted that the reservoir hosts of cowpox virus are wild rodents, although direct evidence for this lacking much virus's geographic range. Here, through a combination serology and PCR, we demonstrate conclusively main in Great Britain bank voles, wood mice short-tailed field voles. However, also suggest may not be able to maintain infection alone, explaining absence from Ireland where voles found. Infection rodents varies seasonally, variation probably underlies marked seasonal incidence accidental such as humans domestic cats.