New Findings Suggest M. ovi is More Widespread in Alaska's Wild Sheep and Goats
- ADF&G Press Release

Sam Cotten, Commissioner
P.O. Box 115526
Juneau, Alaska 99811-5526


Press Release: March 20, 2018

CONTACT: Bruce Dale, Division Director, (907) 861-2101, bruce.dale@alaska.gov

New Findings Suggest M. ovi is More Widespread in Alaska's Wild Sheep and Goats

(Fairbanks) — New laboratory results received by the Alaska Department of Fish and Game late last Friday have reported detection of Mycoplasma ovipneumoniae ("M. ovi") in nine more Dall's sheep and three more mountain goats — that's in addition to the initial discovery of the bacteria in four Dall's sheep and two mountain goats announced March 13. The findings confirm the detection of M. ovi in Dall's sheep in Game Management Units 12, 13A, 20A, 25C, 26B, and 26C, and in mountain goats in 15B.

"We're sharing these findings with Alaskans as we receive them," said Bruce Dale, Division of Wildlife Conservation director. Numerous samples are currently queued to be analyzed.

Based on preliminary analysis, three strains of M. ovi have been identified in Dall's sheep. All animals sampled appeared disease-free and the department has no evidence that M. ovi has caused sickness or death in Alaska's wild sheep or goat populations.

Sometimes found in domestic and wild sheep and goats in the Lower 48, M. ovi is considered a pathogen because it impairs hosts' respiratory cilia from clearing bacteria that enter the lungs normally at each breath. M. ovi has been associated with pneumonia outbreaks in Lower 48 bighorn sheep, often resulting in significant die-offs.

The presence of M. ovi in an animal does not mean it is or will become sick. More than 100 known Mycoplasma species exist, including M. ovi, and evidence suggests that virulence — the ability to infect and cause disease — varies between M. ovi strains. The ability of M. ovi to cause pneumonia is impacted by multiple stressors including poor nutritional condition and/or environmental factors such as extreme weather. Both domestic and wild sheep and goats can carry the bacteria while showing no signs of illness.

The department has collected surveillance samples from Dall's sheep and mountain goats throughout most of mainland Alaska for years. In response to the recent findings, the department plans to intensify M. ovi surveillance efforts in Dall's sheep, mountain goats, and other Alaska wildlife in collaboration with the USDA Animal Disease Research Unit and the Washington Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory in Pullman, Washington. Department staff will also monitor the affected wildlife populations.

"We obviously have more to learn about M. ovi in Alaska," said Dale. "The recent laboratory results provide a starting point for seeking more information about this pathogen."

For more information about M. ovi findings in Alaska, see the frequently asked questions at http://www.adfg.alaska.gov/index.cfm?adfg=hottopics.movi