Bardiya: In a concerning development for Nepal’s wildlife, the deadly canine distemper virus (CDV), primarily seen in domestic dogs, has been confirmed in a leopard in Bardiya National Park. The finding, announced at a program held on Sunday by Swasthya Live Media with technical support from the Center for Molecular Dynamics Nepal (CMDN), has sparked alarm among conservationists and health officials alike.
The virus, which spreads rapidly among carnivores, is believed to have jumped to the leopard after it preyed on infected dogs from nearby buffer zone settlements. “The proximity of human settlements to wildlife habitats is creating high-risk scenarios,” said Dr Ayush Maharjan, a veterinarian at Bardiya National Park. “The leopard likely contracted the virus from consuming infected dogs, and we suspect it could spread to tigers as well.”
CDV is a highly contagious disease that affects the respiratory, gastrointestinal, and nervous systems of infected animals. While common in dogs, its presence in wild carnivores like leopards highlights the growing danger posed by human-wildlife interactions.
Cause for concern
Bardiya’s buffer zones, where wildlife often overlaps with human settlements, have emerged as a critical concern. “This disease is highly fatal and can devastate wildlife populations if left unchecked,” explained Dr Maharjan. Studies have shown that CDV has a mortality rate of over 5 percent, leaving infected animals severely debilitated or dead.
The spread of CDV from domestic to wild animals is a stark reminder of the challenges posed by unregulated human activity near conservation areas. Dr Ashok Kumar Ram, Chief Conservation Officer at Bardiya National Park, stressed the importance of limiting interactions between wildlife and humans. “Human interference is placing both wildlife and people at significant risk. The health of ecosystems and humans is deeply interconnected,” he warned.
The potential spread of the virus to other endangered species, such as tigers, raises further concerns. Tigers, which are already under threat from poaching and habitat loss, now face an invisible enemy in the form of a deadly virus.
Zoonotic risks
The detection of CDV in Bardiya has also reignited discussions about zoonotic diseases—those transmissible between animals and humans. “Seventy percent of emerging diseases in humans originate from animals,” said Dr Ram. He emphasized the urgent need for the One Health approach, which integrates human, animal, and environmental health to tackle zoonotic risks.
Despite the urgency, local representatives admitted to being unaware of zoonotic diseases and their management. “We lack adequate knowledge of zoonotic diseases and the One Health concept, which makes it difficult to address these challenges effectively,” said Kalam Bisht, Economic Development Assistance Chief at Thakurbaba Municipality. He called for targeted training programs to equip local officials with the tools needed to manage such threats.
Pandemic warnings
Public health experts are sounding the alarm over the broader implications of wildlife diseases like CDV. “Emerging diseases from wildlife are a ticking time bomb for future pandemics,” cautioned Dr Sher Bahadur Pun from Shukraraj Tropical and Infectious Disease Hospital in Teku.
The program also highlighted concerns about the failure to implement Nepal’s National Antimicrobial Resistance (NAP-AMR) strategy effectively. “Nepal remains vulnerable to global health threats because of poor enforcement of its health and biodiversity policies,” noted Dr Santosh Dulal.
Dr Dulal also pointed to the illegal wildlife trade and rapid urbanization as major contributors to the spread of zoonotic diseases. “Wildlife habitat destruction and unplanned urban expansion are creating ideal conditions for disease spillovers. Without urgent intervention, these outbreaks will become more frequent,” he warned.
Health officials, including District Health Office Chief Sunita Paudel, highlighted the need for preventive measures to minimize human-wildlife contact. “Simple steps like providing food inside parks to prevent wildlife from venturing into human settlements can significantly reduce the risk of outbreaks,” she said.
As Bardiya grapples with the alarming discovery of CDV in its wildlife, the message from experts is clear: Coordinated action through the One Health approach is critical. Without it, Nepal’s fragile ecosystems—and its people—will continue to face escalating risks from emerging diseases.
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