Three farm-raised alligators from Central Florida have tested positive for West Nile virus (WNV), according to officials at the University of Florida (UF) College of Veterinary Medicine (CVM). This is the first time the virus has affected U.S. reptiles. Multiple agencies were involved in the diagnosis, including the CVM, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the Florida Department of Health.

Officials are investigating how the reptiles became infected–whether it was via the conventional mosquito bite, or if there were other means of transmission.

Lisa Conti, DVM, the state’s public health veterinarian, said, “In an epizootic (animal epidemic) of West Nile, we are likely to find occasional other species with the virus. Reptiles and amphibians have been reported in the literature with WNV in other countries.”

Conti explained that the finding gives more evidence that the virus is circulating, and that the county was already on alert for detection of mosquito-borne diseases. “We do not know the natural history of the virus in alligators,” she said, “but several agencies are cooperating to determine more of this information. Our message remains for the public to take care not to be bitten by mosquitoes