A serological survey of eight infectious diseases in a population of free ranging deer (Cervus timorensis russa) in Mauritius

Rusa deer (Cervus timorensis russa) is the most important red meat production of Mauritius. More than 70.000 heads are exploited annually for 440 tones of venison. This survey was undertaken in 2007 in order to update the status of the Mauritian deer population for eight infectious diseases, since no systematic health survey had been performed in the last ten years. A total of 369 deer from 28 extensive herds were randomly sampled during hunting operations. Male deer were more represented than females whereas the age distribution was balanced. Positive results were found for bovine tuberculosis (one case of Mycobacterium bovis, macrocospical examination and PCR confirmation), Johne's disease (1.7%, n=351, indirect ELISA and PCR confirmation), cowdriosis (95.5%, n=178, IFAT), leptospirosis (25.9%, n=363, MAT), bluetongue (4.1%, n=369, competitive ELISA), and EHD (1.3%, n=369, indirect ELISA). Negative results were found for Brucella abortus (n=355, indirect ELISA; n=99, Rose Bengal Test) and Rift Valley Fever Virus (n=88, indirect ELISA). Those results are the first for Johne's disease, leptospirosis, and bluetongue and EHD in Rusa deer in Mauritius. They also confirmed the maintenance of bovine tuberculosis and cowdriosis in the deer population since the 1980's and the probable absence of Brucella abortus osis and Rift Valley Fever Virus. This survey provided evidence of the need to monitor the health of farmed wildlife more regularly in order to detect zoonosis, infectious diseases of livestock and initiate an eradication program with the long term goal of certifying healthy farms and export venison overseas. (Résumé d'auteur