Divergent Rabies Virus Variant of Probable Bat Origin in 2 Gray Foxes, New Mexico, USA.

In the Western Hemisphere, bat-associated rabies viruses (RABVs) have established independent transmission cycles in multiple mammal hosts, forming genetically distinct lineages. In New Mexico, USA, skunks, bats, and gray foxes are rabies reservoir hosts and represent a public health risk because of encounters with humans. During 2015 and 2019, two previously undescribed RABVs were detected in 2 gray foxes (Urocyon cinereoargenteus) in Lincoln County, New Mexico.

infection in dogs: 88 cases (2014-2016).

Objective: To characterize the epidemiology, clinical signs, and treatment of dogs with infection in New Mexico.

Animals: 87 dogs in which 88 cases of tularemia (1 dog had 2 distinct cases) were confirmed by the New Mexico Department of Health Scientific Laboratory Division from 2014 through 2016 and for which medical records were available.

Procedures: Dogs were confirmed to have tularemia if they had a 4-fold or greater increase in anti- antibody titer between acute and convalescent serum samples or had been isolated from a clinical or necropsy specimen.

Yersinia pestis infection in dogs: 62 cases (2003-2011).

Objective: To describe the epidemiology, clinical signs, and treatment practices in dogs with Yersinia pestis infection in New Mexico.

Design: Retrospective case series.

Animals: 62 dogs with plague in New Mexico.

Identification of skunk species submitted for rabies testing in the desert southwest.

Skunks usually are identified by their common name (skunk) when submitted for rabies testing. In the desert southwest (Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, USA; and northern Mexico), there are five species of skunks; four of which can occur in sympatry. To better understand the ecology of skunk rabies in these areas, it is imperative that species be properly identified.