The Asia-1 strain of canine distemper virus (CDV), which had never before been reported in North America, most likely entered the continent last fall with a dog rescued from a Korean dog meat farm.
Dogs that are already immunized against CDV likely are not at risk from the Asian strain. But if the virus comes into contact with wildlife, it may take a serious toll on wild carnivore populations.
Source: Cornell University, College of Veterinary Medicine, March 18, 2019. Link. Though outbreaks occasionally occur in animal shelters, the CDV virus primarily persists in wildlife populations, particularly in the Northeast where canine cases of CDV are extremely rare. It circulates among numerous carnivore species, causing die offs of raccoons, grey fox, skunks, coyotes, wolves and other animals.
“If this particular Asia-1 strain got out into the wildlife population, then it’s here forever, because you can’t get rid of it once it hits wildlife.” – Dr. Edward Dubovi
INSIGHTS: Keeping new infectious organisms out of the U.S. is challenging, because there is virtually no federal oversight of importing companion animals.