Mice are susceptible to experimental infection, but natural infection has not been reported for this species. It is highly contagious and transmitted by contact and aerosol. It is not transmitted vertically. Occasionally, exudates causes the eyelids to adhere together. Clinical signs usually disappear by weaning.
Overt disease occurs in na ve rat populations.
There is a sudden high incidence of overt disease. There is a high morbidity but no mortality. Most clinical signs disappear in a week, but the eyes might be more prominent than normal for 1-2 weeks because of inflammation or retro orbital tissues. SDAV has a positive tropism for serous or mixed serous-mucous tubuloalveolar glands. The submaxillary and parotid salivary, exorbital lacrimal, Harderian, and intraorbital lacrimal glands are major target organs.