Canine distemper virus is an emerging disease because high mutability and host-switching enable it to emerge in previously unknown host species.
Is it true that Canine distemper virus is an emerging disease because high mutability and host-switching enable it to emerge in previously unknown host species?
Yes. Canine distemper virus is recognized as an emerging multi-host pathogen whose high mutability—particularly in the hemagglutinin gene—and capacity for host-switching allow it to infect and emerge in a wide range of previously unknown mammalian species.
Verdict: SUPPORTED · 8 sources for, 0 against · Last checked
The retrieved literature consistently supports the claim that canine distemper virus (CDV) is characterized by high genetic mutability, particularly in its receptor-binding hemagglutinin (H) protein, and an unusually broad and expanding host range. Multiple studies document its ability to undergo cross-species transmission (host-switching) and emerge in novel wildlife hosts, ranging from non-human primates and big cats to small mammals like tree shrews. There are no papers refuting this mechanism of viral emergence.
Get citation
Beineke, A., Baumgärtner, W., & Wohlsein, P. (2015). Cross-species transmission of canine distemper virus—an update. doi.org. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.onehlt.2015.09.002
See more details
Get citation
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
Get citation
Wilkes, R. P. (2022). Canine Distemper Virus in Endangered Species: Species Jump, Clinical Variations, and Vaccination. doi.org. https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens12010057
Get citation
Weckworth, J. K., Davis, B., Dubovi, E., Fountain‐Jones, N., Packer, C., Cleaveland, S., Craft, M. E., Eblate, E., Schwartz, M. K., Mills, L. S., & Roelke-Parker, M. (2020). Cross‐species transmission and evolutionary dynamics of canine distemper virus during a spillover in African lions of Serengeti National Park. doi.org. https://doi.org/10.1111/mec.15449
Get citation
Hyodo, A., Seki, F., Fukuda, K., Tashiro, K., Kitai, Y., Akahori, Y., Watabe, H., Katoh, H., Osaki, R., Takaya, D., Kawashita, N., Fukuhara, H., Ikegame, S., Yoshikawa, T., Eunsil, P., Morikawa, S., Yamaguchi, R., Lee, B., Maenaka, K., Shirai, T., Fukuzawa, K., Tanaka, S., & Takeda, M. (2025). Evolutionary and structural basis of SLAMF1 utilization in morbilliviruses—Implications for host range and cross-species transmission. doi.org. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.ppat.1012990
Get citation
TÇ, O. & BT, K. (2025). Global Phylogenetic Analysis of the CDV Hemagglutinin Gene Reveals Positive Selection on Key Receptor-Binding Sites.. doi.org. https://doi.org/10.3390/v17091149
Get citation
HTT, D., KT, N., RT, D., LM, D., PV, T., & TH, L. (2025). Phylogenetic and sequence analysis of the co-circulating lineages in the canine distemper virus complexity from Northern Vietnam (2017-2023).. doi.org. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11259-025-10750-8
Get citation
Lazarus, B., Sadali, M. F. M., Kamal, F. M., Hua, K. K., Wahab, R. A., Kaderi, M., Abdullah, M. L., Azizan, T. R. P. T., & Ahmad, H. (2025). Preliminary study of canine distemper virus transmission from small mammals to Malayan tiger at Kampung Besul Lama, Terengganu, Malaysia. doi.org. https://doi.org/10.14202/vetworld.2025.791-798
What does the evidence say?
The retrieved literature consistently supports the claim that canine distemper virus (CDV) is characterized by high genetic mutability, particularly in its receptor-binding hemagglutinin (H) protein, and an unusually broad and expanding host range. Multiple studies document its ability to undergo cross-species transmission (host-switching) and emerge in novel wildlife hosts, ranging from non-human primates and big cats to small mammals like tree shrews. There are no papers refuting this mechanism of viral emergence.
Challenge the receipt
Citation formatting by citeproc-js (Frank Bennett) and the Citation Style Language project. Source and licenses.
Terms · Privacy · How verdicts work