MYXOMATOSIS Meaning and
Definition
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Myxomatosis is a highly infectious and often fatal viral disease that primarily affects rabbits. It is caused by the Myxoma virus, a member of the Poxviridae family. The term "myxomatosis" is derived from the Greek words "myxa" meaning mucus and "oma" meaning swelling or tumor. The disease was first identified in South America in the 19th century and was intentionally introduced as a biological control agent for wild rabbits in Australia and Europe in the mid-20th century.
The symptoms of myxomatosis in rabbits typically include the development of multiple tumors or nodules, predominantly around the head, face, and genitals. These growths are characterized by swelling, redness, and the formation of abundant mucus secretions which give the disease its name. Additional signs of infection can include conjunctivitis, lethargy, fever, loss of appetite, and respiratory distress.
Myxomatosis is primarily transmitted through direct contact with infected rabbits, but can also be spread by biting insects such as fleas, mosquitoes, and flies. Once a rabbit is infected, the virus quickly spreads throughout the body, causing severe systemic illness. The mortality rate for myxomatosis can be as high as 90 to 100% depending on various factors, such as host resistance, viral strains, and secondary bacterial infections.
Due to its devastating impact on rabbit populations and the widespread concern for animal welfare, myxomatosis is often the subject of control measures or eradication campaigns in regions where domestic and wild rabbits coexist. These efforts usually involve vaccination programs and the implementation of insect control strategies.
Common Misspellings for MYXOMATOSIS
Etymology of MYXOMATOSIS
The word "myxomatosis" derives from the Latin term "myxoma", which refers to a mucous tumor. It combines "myxo-" meaning "mucus" and "-matosis" which indicates a pathological condition or the growth of a tumor. Myxomatosis specifically refers to a viral disease that affects rabbits, which was first identified in South America in the early 20th century.
Similar spelling word for MYXOMATOSIS
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