Lethal snake viruses identified
A study has identified the cause of a fatal illness that affects captive snakes.
Inclusion Body Disease (IBD) is a condition which affects constrictor snakes, such as boas and pythons, and hitherto its cause has been uncertain. There is no treatment for the illness - for which symptoms include 'star-gazing', breathing problems and general muscular paralysis - and its cause has always been suspected to be a virus.
Now, in research published in the open-access journal mBio, scientists have analysed samples obtained from snakes with IBD and found genetic material that closely resembles that present in viruses belonging to the arenaviruses family.
The researchers were also able to grow the virus from samples taken from one of the snakes.
Dr Mark Stenglein co-led the study. He commented: "We don't yet have formal evidence that these viruses cause the disease… although there is a good correlation [between disease and the presence of virus] … it is also possible that other viruses or pathogens cause a similar set of symptoms".
As of yet the disease seems to be restricted to captive snakes, but there is concern that the release of captive snakes could unleash the virus into the wild.
Defra has published guidance for the vet sector ahead of a proposed UK-EU Sanitary and Phytosanitary agreement.
