Some recent virus isolations and their importance in New Zealand

Abstract

Extract

Today I am going to talk about some of the animal viruses which have been isolated recently in New Zealand and, along the way, I will make a few comments on the possible clinical significance of these various viruses. Veterinary virology is still in its infancy in New Zealand and it's only over the last 2–3 years that a picture is beginning to emerge of what viruses are endemic to this country and what disease syndromes they are involved with. There's still much to be learnt in this field however with active virology groups now working at the Ruakura and Wallaceville Animal Health Laboratories and at Massey University, many of the gaps in our knowledge should be filled over the next few years.