Tracing feline herpesvirus-1 exposure in domestic cats from Namibia: associations with neutralising antibodies, vaccination, clinical signs, and retroviral status

Abstract

Feline herpesvirus type 1 (FHV-1) is a major cause of upper respiratory and ocular disease in domestic cats and remains widely distributed worldwide. However, information on FHV-1 exposure and neutralising antibody responses in cats from Namibia is limited. This study assessed FHV-1 neutralising antibody prevalence in a convenience sample of 236 domestic cats sampled across 15 towns in eight regions of Namibia. Neutralising antibodies were detected in 18/236 (8%) cats (95% CI: 4.88–11.73%). Seropositive animals were identified only in Erongo, Khomas, and Hardap regions, with the highest regional seroprevalence observed in Erongo. Seropositivity was uncommon in both vaccinated and unvaccinated cats and was not significantly associated with vaccination status, feline immunodeficiency virus antibody status, or feline leukaemia virus antigen status. A significant association was identified between seropositivity and oculonasal discharge ( p < 0.001). Overall, the findings indicate low FHV-1 neutralising antibody prevalence within the sampled population rather than the wider domestic cat population of Namibia, and suggest that detectable neutralising antibodies were observed predominantly in unvaccinated cats, although interpretation is limited by the small number of vaccinated animals and the absence of detailed vaccination histories.

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