Infectious Disease and Measures for Their Management in Captive Wild Animals in a Zoo

Abstract

Treatment of infectious diseases and management of infected animals is easier in a zoo, because it is easier to detect infectious diseases and understand the prevalence of pathogens and disease occurrence pattern. On the other hand, because many species of animals are housed in a sympatric environment in a zoo, there is direct and/or indirect contact of the animal species that would normally never occur in nature. This arrangement provides a new host for the pathogen. Differences in the sensitivity of various animals to pathogens may be the cause of an epidemic of infectious disease. Inappropriate habitat is one of the factors responsible for infection. Moreover, an increase in the population density of animals results in massive exposure to and propagation of pathogens. Further, occurrence of infectious diseases may also occur because of ingestion of contaminated feed. Herein, we discuss “infectious disease in zoo” by presenting several cases.