Abortion – Stillbirth Investigation
in Wild African Ruminants
Dr R D Last – Veterinary Pathologist
History
Obtain as much history as is practically possible under
the various management systems (free range, breeding
project, boma, small camp system) regarding animal
information (parity, estimated age of dam, gestational
age foetuses), veld management / supplements
(game pellets, lick, molasses, multi-vitamin/mineral
supplements), possible exposure to toxic plants, recent
vaccination / parasite control / treatment programs
employed, extent of contact with domestic ruminant
species (cattle, sheep, goats), adverse environmental
events and drinking water quality.
The Investigation Processes
Whether presented with an aborted / stillborn antelope,
buffalo, wildebeest or giraffe, the investigation process
should be the same and should include the following
basic principles.
a lesser extent), Coxiella burnetti (Q-Fever), Rift Valley
Fever and some of the arboviruses (West Nile Virus,
Middelburg Virus, Wesselsbron).
Brucellosis remains an important occupational hazard
for veterinarians handling abortion material from wild
African ruminants. Brucella abortus, Brucella melitensis
and to a lesser extent Brucella suis are the important
Brucella species at the wildlife/human interface. The
risk of exposure through handling of foetal material
from wild African ruminants increases significantly in
situations where there is contact between wildlife and
livestock. Wildlife ruminant species which would pose
potential zoonotic risk would include African Buffalo,
Sable antelope, Eland, greater kudu, waterbuck, Impala
and giraffe. Brucella abortus principally involves African
Buffalo and greater kudu, Brucella melitensis biovar 3
has been isolated from Sable antelope while Brucella
suis has very rarely been isolated African Buffalo, Eland
and waterbuck.
External examination foetus.
External examination placenta.
Collection of morphometric measurements.
Dissection and sample collection (foetus and
placenta).
Maternal serology and blood smears. Coxiella burnetti (Q-fever) is being increasingly reported
in African wildlife species and to date placentitis
with abortion or stillbirth have been reported in
Sable antelope (Hippotragus niger), Roan antelope
(Hippotragus equinus), greater kudu (Tragelaphus
strepsiceros) and Cuvier’s gazelles (Gazella cuvieri).
Prior to examination of any foetus / stillbirth
veterinarians need to apply personal protective
equipment (PPE) including safety glasses, P2 respirator
mask (simple surgical masks are inadequate), rectal
gloves secured to the upper arm / full sleeve overall,
surgical gloves and chemical gloves, so you can wash
with water and disinfectant liberally during the
examination process. There are important occupational
zoonotic hazards carried by African wildlife including
Brucella abortus, Brucella melitensis, (Brucella suis to Rift Valley fever subclinical infection is widely
documented in various antelope species and Buffalo
with clinical disease being reported in springbok and
Cape Buffalo.
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Wesselsbron has been widely documented in many
wild ruminants, although clinical disease outbreaks
are uncommon, there is still significant zoonotic risk as
neonatal wild ruminants are more likely to be viraemic.
2020
ISSUE 01
9