Affecting giraffe in South Africa: Unusual sight of a 'bumpy' giraffe battling a seldom-encountered disease in these towering creatures
In South Africa's Kruger National Park, a giraffe has been making headlines with its unusual appearance. On January 6, Worldwide Vets posted photos of the giraffe on their Facebook page, showing growths on its face, neck, and torso.
The rangers and vets in the park are aware of the situation, and have elected not to euthanise the giraffe. This is because the pathogen causing these growths is known, and it is not spreading rapidly. The virus in question is Bovine Papillomavirus (BPV), a type of papillomavirus that is common in cattle and has been known to occasionally infect giraffes, antelopes, and zebras.
However, it is important to note that BPV can cause severe issues in some cases. In severe cases, the virus can interfere with movement and feeding or lead to secondary infections that can be fatal. Fortunately, the giraffe's growths do not appear to be affecting its ability to feed or see.
Researchers have previously reported on two giraffes in Kruger National Park in 2007 that had extensive lesions similar to those seen in horses infected with BPV. Both giraffes were euthanised, and subsequent DNA analyses detected BPV in their lesions.
BPV is a family of viruses that spread through direct contact with infected animals or contaminated environments. In the case of giraffes in Kruger National Park, it is believed that BPV or Giraffa camelopardalis papillomavirus 1 (GcPV1) likely spreads through indirect transmission via oxpecker birds. These birds groom giraffes and move between them, carrying the virus on their bodies and facilitating its transfer from one giraffe to another.
Oxpecker birds and ticks may have contributed to the spread of the virus in the giraffe. These birds can hop quickly from animal to animal, potentially spreading the virus quickly. Ticks can also spread the virus from the blood of an infected individual to a new host, such as a giraffe.
Gemma Campling, head veterinarian and CEO of Worldwide Vets, suspects the giraffe may have contracted BPV. The growths on the giraffe are suspected to be caused by an infection with papillomaviruses. These viruses cause scaly lesions on the skin of giraffes that grow and rupture, making it easier for the disease to spread.
Interestingly, human papillomavirus (HPV) is a common sexually transmitted infection in the United States and is also a type of papillomavirus. However, it is important to note that HPV does not affect giraffes.
Despite the concerns, there is no treatment for these viruses in giraffes, but lesions can sometimes regress spontaneously, leading to recovery. There are currently no plans to kill the Kruger giraffe, and the rangers and vets will continue to monitor its condition closely.
- The unusual growths on the giraffe in Kruger National Park are suspected to be caused by an infection with papillomaviruses, similar to the human papillomavirus (HPV), but unlike HPV, it does not pose a threat to giraffes.
- In the realm of health-and-wellness and mental-health, it's crucial to consider the ongoing situation of the giraffe in Kruger National Park, as the Bovine Papillomavirus (BPV) it carries can potentially lead to severe issues, but fortunately, the giraffe currently appears unaffected in terms of feeding and movement.
