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Updated: Jun 11, 2026
10:39
In Vitro Analysis of Myd88-mediated Cellular Immune Response to West Nile Virus Mutant Strain Infection
Published on: November 27, 2014
DIFFERENTIAL IMPACT OF WEST NILE VIRUS ON CALIFORNIA BIRDS
Sarah S Wheeler1, Christopher M Barker, Ying Fang
1Center for Vectorborne Diseases, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Old Davis Rd., Davis, CA 95616.
The Condor
|September 28, 2011
Summary
West Nile virus (WNV) impacts California birds differently by species. Researchers assessed WNV risk using seroprevalence, carcass data, experimental infections, and population trends to identify susceptible species.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Science
- Wildlife Ecology
- Epidemiology
Background:
- A virulent strain of West Nile virus (WNV) is epidemic in North America.
- WNV's impact on California avifauna is not well understood.
- American Crows are known WNV victims, but species-specific impacts vary.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate species-specific West Nile virus (WNV) effects on California birds.
- To assess WNV risk across diverse avian species in California.
- To understand the invasion dynamics of WNV in a new environment.
Main Methods:
- Seroprevalence surveys in free-ranging birds.
- Analysis of WNV-positive carcasses reported by the public.
- Mortality assessment via experimental WNV infections.
- Population trend analysis using Breeding Bird Survey (BBS) data (1980-2007).
- Bayesian linear models to extrapolate BBS data trends.
Main Results:
- Significant population declines attributed to WNV transmission in epiornitic areas.
- Species susceptibility to WNV varies widely.
- High WNV risk identified in American Crow, House Finch, Black-crowned Night-Heron, Western Scrub-Jay, and Yellow-billed Magpie.
- Low WNV risk identified in Rock Pigeon.
Conclusions:
- Multiple data sources are crucial for assessing pathogen impacts.
- WNV poses a varied risk to California's avian populations.
- Understanding species-specific susceptibility is key to managing WNV impacts.
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