Skip to content

CDV RNA Was Detected Across Five Wild Carnivore Species in Eastern Spain

Wild red fox in Cazorla, Spain
Research · Disease, parasites & microbiology

Canine distemper virus (CDV) was detected across several free-ranging carnivore species in the Valencian Community of eastern Spain. CDV is a highly infectious morbillivirus that can infect domestic dogs and a wide range of wild carnivores. The 2026 study examined 106 wild carnivores collected opportunistically between 2022 and 2025 rather than sampling a random cross-section of the living populations.

Viral RNA showed current or recent infection in five host species

Researchers tested brain and lung tissues using RT-qPCR, a method that detects viral RNA. RNA was found in 12 of the 106 animals, or 11.3% of the sampled carnivores. Positive animals included red foxes (Vulpes vulpes), badgers, beech martens, American mink and common genets (Genetta genetta). Several positive samples contained relatively large amounts of viral RNA, supporting active or recent infection rather than only historical exposure.

Most PCR-positive animals were red foxes, but the opportunistic sample was not designed to compare population-level infection risk among species. The result therefore shows that foxes made up most of the positives in this sample, not by itself that foxes had the highest infection rate in the wider carnivore community.

Antibodies provided a second line of evidence for circulation

Antibodies to CDV were detected in eight of 84 animals tested, corresponding to 9.5% of that subset. Antibodies show that an animal’s immune system has encountered the virus and can remain after an infection has passed, so seropositivity is evidence of exposure rather than proof of active infection at the time of sampling.

One pregnant common genet had viral RNA in the brain, while the fetuses and placental tissues tested negative. In this individual, the study therefore found no evidence that the virus had been transmitted vertically from mother to fetuses.

Taken together, the molecular and antibody results support ongoing CDV circulation among wild carnivores in eastern Spain. Because the animals were collected opportunistically, the percentages describe the sampled material rather than a population-wide prevalence estimate. The authors argue that continued surveillance is particularly relevant in landscapes being considered for conservation programmes involving susceptible carnivores, including possible future Iberian lynx reintroductions.

Sources and image credit

  1. Suita, F., Lizana, V., Lozano Fuentes, M., Torres da Silva, J. P., López-Ramon, J., & Cardells, J. (2026). Canine distemper virus in sympatric carnivores of eastern Spain: A potential risk for reintroduction programs. Research in Veterinary Science, 210, 106273. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rvsc.2026.106273Primary research article first published ahead of print 27 May 2026. RT-qPCR of 106 free-ranging wild carnivores from the Valencian Community detected CDV RNA in 12 animals (11.3%), with most positives identified in red foxes. Antibodies were detected in 8 of 84 animals tested (9.5%). Viral RNA was also found in the brain of a pregnant common genet, while fetuses and placental tissues remained negative.

Image: Mateo / Eduardomusic25 — wild red fox (Vulpes vulpes) in Cazorla, Spain, photographed 31 May 2022; Wikimedia Commons; representative Spanish species image, not a fox sampled in the Valencian Community study · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Source

About this content: This story was produced with AI assistance within an editorial workflow developed by Wildlife Vagabond. Editorial responsibility remains with Wildlife Vagabond.How AI is used

Disease, parasites & microbiology

SPECIES IN THIS STORY

Species in this story

Red Fox Vulpes vulpes Explore species

Independent research and conservation news archive

Did you find this information useful?

Wildlife Vagabond is independently built and maintained. Voluntary support helps cover source verification, hosting and continued work on research and conservation news.

Support Wildlife Vagabond

The news archive will remain freely available.