Canine distemper virus only affects dogs.
Is it true that Canine distemper virus only affects dogs?
No. Canine distemper virus is a multi-host pathogen capable of infecting a wide variety of mammals across multiple orders and families, rather than being restricted solely to dogs.
Verdict: REFUTED · 0 sources for, 6 against · Last checked
The claim states that canine distemper virus (CDV) only affects dogs. Multiple retrieved papers explicitly document that CDV has a broad host range, infecting wildlife, big cats, sloths, and other carnivores across numerous mammalian families. Therefore, the claim is clearly refuted by the scientific literature.
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Duque-Valencia, J., Sarute, N., Olarte-Castillo, X. A., & Ruíz-Sáenz, J. (2019). Evolution and Interspecies Transmission of Canine Distemper Virus—An Outlook of the Diverse Evolutionary Landscapes of a Multi-Host Virus. doi.org. https://doi.org/10.3390/v11070582
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Wilkes, R. P. (2022). Canine Distemper Virus in Endangered Species: Species Jump, Clinical Variations, and Vaccination. doi.org. https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens12010057
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MFM, S., AR, M., A, S., NIU, Z., TRPT, A., H, A., MA, K., KK, H., RA, W., AL, A., M, G., & F, M. (2026). Molecular characterisation and histopathological analysis of canine distemper virus in a Malayan tiger (<i>Panthera tigris jacksoni</i>).. doi.org. https://doi.org/10.4142/jvs.25092
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JE, B., E, Z., M, B., D, O., & JL, D. (2026). Placentitis and abortion caused by canine distemper virus in a Linnaeus's two-toed sloth.. doi.org. https://doi.org/10.1177/10406387261476025
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FV, G., V, I., D, P., DM, D., J, D., C, Z., BA, F., & V, H. (2026). Molecular Evidence of Canine Distemper Virus Circulation in Red Foxes and Golden Jackals from Western Romania.. doi.org. https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms14081651
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M, B., S, B., R, G., M, S., AB, Y., & YB, G. (2026). Seroprevalence of canine distemper in free-roaming dogs in buffer zone of Bardiya National Park, Nepal.. doi.org. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12917-026-05612-7
What does the evidence say?
The claim states that canine distemper virus (CDV) only affects dogs. Multiple retrieved papers explicitly document that CDV has a broad host range, infecting wildlife, big cats, sloths, and other carnivores across numerous mammalian families. Therefore, the claim is clearly refuted by the scientific literature.
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