Which statement applies to mousepox?

Which statement applies to mousepox?

• A. It affects only young mice.
• B. It has only been recently recognized and is widespread in animal facilities.
• C. It results in high morbidity and mortality.
• D. It exhibits no clinical signs.

Answer: (C)

Mousepox is caused by a poxvirus that tends to produce a systemic, often severe infection in mice. The most accurate statement about it is that it leads to high morbidity and mortality, especially in susceptible strains or during outbreaks. Affected animals commonly show signs such as fever, lethargy, ruffled fur, a hunched posture, reduced activity, and sometimes skin lesions or crusting, which reflect the disease’s serious impact on the colony. This is why the option describing high morbidity and mortality is the best fit. It does not affect only young mice, it isn’t characteristically a recently recognized widespread facility problem, and the infection does produce clinical signs rather than being asymptomatic.

Mousepox is caused by a poxvirus that tends to produce a systemic, often severe infection in mice. The most accurate statement about it is that it leads to high morbidity and mortality, especially in susceptible strains or during outbreaks. Affected animals commonly show signs such as fever, lethargy, ruffled fur, a hunched posture, reduced activity, and sometimes skin lesions or crusting, which reflect the disease’s serious impact on the colony. This is why the option describing high morbidity and mortality is the best fit. It does not affect only young mice, it isn’t characteristically a recently recognized widespread facility problem, and the infection does produce clinical signs rather than being asymptomatic.