Due to their low density and secretive character, pathogen surveillance in free-ranging carnivores is difficult. Over a 16-year period, we used a combination of genetic and serological assays to explore viral pathogen infections in Portuguese carnivores (Canis lupus, Vulpes vulpes, Lutra lutra, Martes foina, M. martes, Meles meles, and Genetta genetta). We also looked into the spatial and temporal patterns of viral incidence in Canis lupus. CPV DNA was found in all carnivore species studied, with an overall incidence of 91.9 % . CPV was found in Canis lupus in all of the studied years and seasons, indicating that it is an enzootic virus. CDV RNA was mostly found in the Canidae family, with a peak in viral nucleic acid between 2005 and 2008.
