Transmission and reservation of fowl pox virus by the argasid tick Ornithodoros moubata (Murray)

Abstract

Argasid ticks of the species Ornithodoros moubata were given infective meals of fowl pox virus in fowl blood by either membrane or embryonated hen*s egg feeding methods. The field strain of virus used had to be egg-adapted before viraemia could be established in embryonated hens' eggs.

The ticks were kept at 25°C and 87% relative humidity, except during feeding, which was carried out at 57°C. Virological examinations of ground up tick suspensions were carried out at various intervals after feeding.

The duration of virus persistence was variable, and the maximum recorded was 62 days in adult ticks. The virus did not persist interstadially and was not passed transovarially in the ticks.

Attempts to transmit fowl pox by feeding infected ticks either on embryonated eggs or on hens were unsuccessful.