Canine distemper virus phylogenetic structure and ecological correlates of infection in mesocarnivores across anthropogenic land use gradients.

Anthropogenic land use impacts infectious diseases at the wildlife-domestic-human interface by changing host spatial distribution, behavior, density, and population dynamics. Canine distemper virus (CDV) is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in many wild and domestic animals. Given the propensity of CDV to infect synanthropic mesocarnivores, it is important to investigate host and environmental factors affecting mesocarnivore CDV infection. Here, we investigated patterns of CDV infection and developed a statistical model to identify environmental variables related to CDV risk in commonly affected mesocarnivores. We sampled carcasses ( IMPORTANCE: Anthropogenic land use change can impact infectious disease spread by altering animal distribution and behavior. Canine distemper virus (CDV) is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in wild and domestic carnivores. This study investigated how land use influences CDV infection in wild carnivores by examining tissues collected between 2019 and 2022 from wild carnivores found dead in the southeastern United States. CDV strains were geographically distinct, with differences between populations east and west of the Mississippi river. Statistical models showed areas with increased human development and higher precipitation had higher CDV risk; however, there was lower risk associated with higher elevations and younger animals. The importance of this study is that it identifies geographic structure of CDV in the southern United States, and identifies land-use associations with potential high-risk areas for CDV transmission-information that is useful for wildlife disease surveillance and control strategies.