Evidence of West Nile virus seropositivity in wild birds on the island of Cyprus

Pallari, Chryso Th.; Efstathiou, Athina; Moysi, Michaella; Papanikolas, Nikolas; Christodoulou, Vasiliki; Mazeris, Apostolos; Koliou, Maria; Kirschel, Alexander N. G.

doi:10.1016/j.cimid.2020.101592

Cited by 7 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 30 publications

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“…Bird‐to‐bird and vertical mosquito transmission are thought to represent a small proportion of transmission events (Hartemink et al., 2007 ). Bird immunity to WNV is possible, and bird populations in areas of Europe with cases have been shown to have low levels of seropositivity in local studies (Pallari et al., 2021 ; Bażanów et al., 2018 ). Bird immunity would have most impact on our model by reducing the vector competence parameter.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Modelling the temperature suitability for the risk of West Nile Virus establishment in European Culex pipiens populations

Pol

Crotta

Taylor

2022

Transbounding Emerging Dis

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Increases in temperature and extreme weather events due to global warming can create an environment that is beneficial to mosquito populations, changing and possibly increasing the suitable geographical range for many vector-borne diseases. West Nile Virus (WNV) is a flavivirus, maintained in a mosquito-avian host cycle that is usually asymptomatic but can cause primarily flu-like symptoms in human and equid accidental hosts. In rare circumstances, serious disease and death are possible outcomes for both humans and horses. The main European vector of WNV is the Culex pipiens mosquito.This study examines the effect of environmental temperature on WNV establishment in Europe via Culex pipiens populations through use of a basic reproduction number (R 0 ) model. A metric of thermal suitability derived from R 0 was developed by collating thermal responses of different Culex pipiens traits and combining them through use of a next-generation matrix. WNV establishment was determined to be possible between 14 • C and 34.3 • C, with the optimal temperature at 23.7 • C. The suitability measure was plotted against monthly average temperatures in 2020 and the number of months with high suitability mapped across Europe. The average number of suitable months for each year from 2013 to 2019 was also calculated and validated with reported equine West Nile fever cases from 2013 to 2019. The widespread thermal suitability for WNV establishment highlights the importance of European surveillance for this disease and the need for increased research into mosquito and bird distribution.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Modelling the temperature suitability for the risk of West Nile Virus establishment in European Culex pipiens populations

Pol

Crotta

Taylor

2022

Transbounding Emerging Dis

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“…In other European countries, there has been a wide range of WNV seroprevalence values in wild birds. It spanned from 14.8% to 16.2% in East Germany [14], and 1,3% in Cyprus [27]. There is a notable lack of recent studies in many countries, where there have even been outbreaks.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Serological Evidence of Antibodies to West Nile Virus in Wild Birds in Portugal

Loureiro,

Cardoso,

Matos

et al. 2024

Preprint

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Emerging infectious diseases are a major threat to biodiversity and an important public health issue. West Nile virus (WNV) is an emerging vector-borne zoonotic arbovirus that is currently broadening its distribution in Europe. The evidence of WNV circulating in resident and migratory species has implications for both animal and public health, and should therefore be studied in depth. An integrated surveillance program, namely in birds, is essential for reducing the risk of infection in human populations within the One Health principles. In the present study, wild birds admitted to wildlife rehabilitation centres in Portugal were sampled. Two-hundred and eight blood samples were assayed serologically to antibodies to WNV, by using a commercial ELISA kit. An overall seroprevalence of 19.6% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 13.7-26.7%) was observed. Antibodies to WNV were detected in 13 (35.1%) different species of wild birds. Accipitriformes (26.7%; 95% CI: 18.5-36.2%) and Strigiformes (26.7%; 95% CI: 14.6-42.0%) were the orders with the highest seroprevalence recorded. There were no statistically significant differences (p = 0.725) between the geographical regions (NUTS II) studied, but statistically significant difference (p = 0.017) was found between gender (male: 34.4%; female: 4.8%). A higher seroprevalence was found in adults (32.1%) compared to juvenile birds (9.3%) (p = 0.014), and age was considered a risk factor to WNV infection in wild birds (odds ratio 1.4; 95% CI: 0.5–4.0). More epidemiological studies are needed in Portugal, since the actual spread of the WNV throughout the country is unknown.

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“…Seroprevalence findings in birds from this study fall within the range of previous research in Spain using the cELISA tests, indicating seroprevalence rates ranging from 1.96% to 31.25% [ 39 ]. Serological results in wild birds from around the world using various cELISA protocols also reveal a broad range of seroprevalence rates: 1.3% in Cyprus [ 40 ], 5.5% in Senegal [ 41 ], 6.6% in the United States [ 42 ], 11.9% in Bangladesh [ 43 ], 13.3% in Poland [ 44 ], 27.33% in Iran [ 45 ], and 32.1% in Romania [ 46 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

West Nile Virus Seroprevalence in Wild Birds and Equines in Madrid Province, Spain

Williams,

Criollo Valencia,

López Márquez

et al. 2024

Veterinary Sciences

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West Nile virus (WNV) is a re-emerging flavivirus, primarily circulating among avian hosts and mosquito vectors, causing periodic outbreaks in humans and horses, often leading to neuroinvasive disease and mortality. Spain has reported several outbreaks, most notably in 2020 with seventy-seven human cases and eight fatalities. WNV has been serologically detected in horses in the Community of Madrid, but to our knowledge, it has never been reported from wild birds in this region. To estimate the seroprevalence of WNV in wild birds and horses in the Community of Madrid, 159 wild birds at a wildlife rescue center and 25 privately owned equines were sampled. Serum from thirteen birds (8.2%) and one equine (4.0%) tested positive with a WNV competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (cELISA) designed for WNV antibody detection but sensitive to cross-reacting antibodies to other flaviviruses. Virus-neutralization test (VNT) confirmed WNV antibodies in four bird samples (2.5%), and antibodies to undetermined flavivirus in four additional samples. One equine sample (4.0%) tested positive for WNV by VNT, although this horse previously resided in a WN-endemic area. ELISA-positive birds included both migratory and resident species, juveniles and adults. Two seropositive juvenile birds suggest local flavivirus transmission within the Community of Madrid, while WNV seropositive adult birds may have been infected outside Madrid. The potential circulation of flaviviruses, including WNV, in birds in the Madrid Community raises concerns, although further surveillance of mosquitoes, wild birds, and horses in Madrid is necessary to establish the extent of transmission and the principal species involved.

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Evidence of West Nile virus seropositivity in wild birds on the island of Cyprus

Cited by 7 publications

References 30 publications

Modelling the temperature suitability for the risk of West Nile Virus establishment in European Culex pipiens populations

Modelling the temperature suitability for the risk of West Nile Virus establishment in European Culex pipiens populations

Serological Evidence of Antibodies to West Nile Virus in Wild Birds in Portugal

West Nile Virus Seroprevalence in Wild Birds and Equines in Madrid Province, Spain

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