Raven Zurbuchen | 2025 I.S. Symposium

Name: Raven Zurbuchen
Title: Canine Distemper Virus: A Review and Future Directions for Antiviral Treatment
Majors: Biology; Psychology
Advisors: Nick Brandley; Stephanie Strand

This project thoroughly covers aspects of the highly contagious Canine Distemper Virus (CDV) which affects many different species including felids and other non-canid animals. CDV is a deadly RNA virus in the morbillivirus genus that’s related to the measles virus and rinderpest virus. While CDV does affect domesticated animals like dogs and ferrets, it has a wide scope of afflicted species that bring concerns for wildlife and endangered species; including conservation issues and preventing further spread of the virus. Here, we will briefly go over general information and the neurological aspects then take a slightly deeper look at the cross-species infections, vaccinations, and antiviral research. Recently there have been heightened concerns about the transmission of CDV to humans, as has been seen in our closest non-human primate relatives like Rhesus monkeys. While the currently available vaccines are effective in limiting the spread of CDV, there is no direct treatment for infected animals and most afflicted animals end up dead, especially once the virus reaches the brain. The purpose of this review is to bring attention to the severity of the virus and the need for a readily available antiviral treatment.

Posted in Symposium 2025 on May 1, 2025.