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Published on: August 2, 2011
Surveillance for West Nile virus in wild birds from northern Europe
Elsa Jourdain1, Björn Olsen, Ake Lundkvist
1Zoonotic Ecology and Epidemiology, Department of Natural Sciences, Kalmar University, Kalmar, Sweden. elsa.jourdain@clermont.inra.fr
Abstract:
A total of 1935 migratory birds from 104 different species were captured in southeastern Sweden in 2005-2006 and tested for antibodies against West Nile virus (WNV). Overall, 46 birds (2.4%; binomial confidence limits, 1.8-3.2) were positive by blocking-ELISA, but only 2 (0.10%; binomial confidence limits, 0.0-0.4) had antibodies detectable by both blocking-ELISA and WNV neutralization test. ELISA-positive birds included long- and short-distance migrants likely exposed to WNV while wintering in or migrating through areas enzootic for WNV. Exposure to a cross-reactive Flavivirus was suspected for short-distance migrants of the Turdidae family, but no cross-neutralization with tick-borne encephalitis and Usutu viruses was observed.
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