New Hosts for Equine Herpesvirus 9

Abstract

Equine herpesvirus 9 was detected in a polar bear with progressive encephalitis; the source was traced to 2 members of a potential equid reservoir species, Grevy’s zebras. The virus was also found in an aborted Persian onager. Thus, the natural host range is extended to 6 species in 3 mammalian orders.

Keywords

• equine herpesvirus-9
• polar bear
• Grevy’s zebra
• Persian onager
• inter-species
• transmission