Aussie researchers discover potentially threatening virus in bobtail lizards

Australian researchers have discovered a new virus in the iconic bobtail lizard which may be threatening the native species, according to research published in Plos One on Thursday.

The researchers from Murdoch University in Western Australia state have found a respiratory virus similar to the Ball Python Nidovirus leading to large numbers of the native bobtail lizard going into rehabilitation over the past 20 years.

"This is the first report of Nidovirus in lizards globally," lead researcher Mark O'Dea from the University's School of Veterinary and Life Sciences said in a statement.

The symptoms of the flu-like disease are similar to those presented in humans: snotty nose, weepy eyes and a loss of weight. Without supportive treatment and care, mortality rates are reportedly high.

It's important to note, however, that the virus itself is not an influenza virus, O'Dea said.

"While this virus is statistically associated with the flu-like disease, we have not yet confirmed that it is the cause or that every bobtail infected with the virus will succumb to disease - a bit like flu in humans," O'Dea said.

"If this were a more obvious or perhaps charismatic species like a quokka, we would have no doubt seen far greater emphasis on determining the cause and responding."

The flu-like virus was only found using next generation sequencing techniques in Perth metropolitan rescue shelters after carers had struggled to manage the cases over the past two decades in the absence of a known cure.

"Based on numbers presenting to rescue centres, this is Western Australia's most common wildlife infectious disease issues, and arguably one of the most urgent disease threats of wildlife in Western Australia," co-author Bethany Jackson said.

Research will now examine how the virus is transmitted, treatment methods, survivability, new diagnostic tools and whether it affects other lizard species. Endit