Serological Determination of West Nile Virus in Domestic Birds from Rapa Nui, Chile

Flaviviruses are agents with high zoonotic potential of importance to human health. They are transmitted by mosquitoes of the Culicidae family, and birds act as host-amplifiers. Birds, mammals, and humans are susceptible hosts to infection. In this study, West Nile virus (WNV), flavivirus, infection was studied in 37 serum samples from 22 hens on Easter Island, Chile. WNV was detected by ELISA (ID Screen® West Nile Competition Multi-Species). We report absence of antibodies to WNV, and to related viruses of the Japanese Encephalitis Virus serocomplex, and, therefore, absence of infection across the sample. This is the first evaluation of its type carried out in Chile, and represents a positive result for public health at Easter Island.