1Seoul
Zoo, Gwacheon 427-702; 2Gyeongbuk
Veterinary Service Laboratory, Daegu 702-911;
3Gyeongsangbukdo
Livestock Research Institute, Yeongju 750-871; 4Department
of Animal Science, Kyungpook National University, Sangju 742-711;
Korea 5College of Veterinary Medicine, Kyungpook National
University, Daegu 702-701, Korea.
*Corresponding author:
odkwon@knu.ac.kr
Abstract
Three Oriental Turtle-doves (Streptopelia
orientalis) exhibiting lethargy, dyspnea, poor physical condition, and poor
flight endurance, were rescued and referred to the Animal Health Center, Seoul
Zoo, Korea. The doves had wart-like lesions on the legs and head. All of them
died the following day after arrival, with the exception of one that survived
for 6 days. Diphtheritic membranes on the tongue and oral mucosa were apparent
at necropsy. Avian pox virus infection was suspected based on the proliferative
skin lesions and oral diphtheritic lesions. Infection of the avian pox virus was
confirmed by PCR using primers specific to the 4b core protein gene of avian pox
virus. All cases were diagnosed with avian pox virus infection. This is believed
to be the first description on natural infection of avian pox in Oriental
Turtle-doves in
Korea.