If you didn't know this current outbreak of diarrhea is being described as the Splats as it follows on from a previous outbreak that was known so charmingly as the Snots !

Coronavirus is the most common viral infections of camelids from what I have gathered talking to various vets. Coronavirus, and to a lesser extent Rotavirus, damage the intestinal lining and cause diarrhea. Dehydration, anorexia, and obtundation (a dulled or reduced level of alertness or consciousness) may be present in severely affected alpacas.

Younger alpacas are affected most frequently, but coronavirus also affects adult alpacas. Outbreaks of coronavirus are common by all accounts.

Diagnosis is by fecal examination by electron microscopy, which is usually available at the local veterinary diagnostic laboratory.

Treatment consists chiefly of supportive care with fluids and electrolytes, and possibly antibiotics to prevent secondary bacterial infections of the intestines.

In August 14th, 2007 investigators at Oregon State University, Department of Biomedical Sciences published new data on coronavirus genetics

According to a description of the scientific paper the OSU scientists discuss in "Analysis of the genome sequence of an alpaca coronavirus" new findings in coronavirus. "Coronaviral infection of New World camelids was first identified in 1998 in llamas and alpacas with severe diarrhea. In order to understand this infection, one of the coronavirus isolates was sequenced and analyzed," researchers report.

The full report is archived in Virus Weekly