Serological survey of arthropod-borne viruses among wild boars in Japan

A total of 90 blood samples were collected from wild boars in the Kyushu region of Japan, and a seroepidemiological survey for 7 arthropod-borne viruses was performed using hemagglutination inhibition tests. The individual seropositive rates for each virus were 52.2% for Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV), 47.8% for Getah virus (GETV), 13.3% for Akabane virus, 10.0% for Aino virus and less than 5% for Bluetongue virus, Chuzan virus and Ibaraki virus. The results indicated that among the 7 viruses, JEV and GETV infections were prevalent among the wild boars and that the animals were involved in the natural transmission cycle of JEV and GETV in Japan. It is necessary to consider the participation of wild animals for the control of arthropod-borne virus infections.