Bowater, R.O., Gummow, B., Mackie, T., Thompson, A.R., Hayes, D.A., Goudkamp, K., and Taylor, J.D. (2024) Toxoplasmosis epidemic in a population of urbanised allied rock‐wallabies "Petrogale assimilis" on Magnetic Island (Yunbenun), North Queensland. Australian Veterinary Journal, 102 (5). pp. 256-263.

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Abstract

A mortality event involving 23 allied rock-wallabies (Petrogale assimilis) displaying neurological signs and sudden death occurred in late April to May 2021 in a suburban residential area directly adjacent to Magnetic Island National Park, on Magnetic Island (Yunbenun), North Queensland, Australia. Three allied rock-wallabies were submitted for necropsy, and in all three cases, the cause of death was disseminated toxoplasmosis. This mortality event was unusual because only a small, localised population of native wallabies inhabiting a periurban area on a tropical island in the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area were affected. A disease investigation determined the outbreak was likely linked to the presence of free-ranging feral and domesticated cats inhabiting the area. There were no significant deaths of other wallabies or wildlife in the same or other parts of Magnetic Island (Yunbenun) at the time of the outbreak. This is the first reported case of toxoplasmosis in allied rock-wallabies (Petrogale assimilis), and this investigation highlights the importance of protecting native wildlife species from an infectious and potentially fatal parasitic disease.

Item ID:	82565
Item Type:	Article (Research - C1)
ISSN:	1751-0813
Keywords:	Macropodidae; marsupialia; pneumonia; Toxoplasma gondii; wallaby; toxoplasmosis; rock wallaby; wildlife: pathology; epidemic; cat; feline
Copyright Information:	© 2024 The Authors. This is an open access article under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs License, which permits use and distribution in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited, the use is non-commercial and no modifications or adaptations are made.
Sensitivity Note:	Culturally sensitive as wildlife was affected by a disease on an Island with Cultural significance.
Date Deposited:	01 May 2024 05:13
FoR Codes:	30 AGRICULTURAL, VETERINARY AND FOOD SCIENCES > 3009 Veterinary sciences > 300910 Veterinary pathology @ 45% 30 AGRICULTURAL, VETERINARY AND FOOD SCIENCES > 3009 Veterinary sciences > 300904 Veterinary diagnosis and diagnostics @ 30% 30 AGRICULTURAL, VETERINARY AND FOOD SCIENCES > 3009 Veterinary sciences > 300905 Veterinary epidemiology @ 25%
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