Short Communication: West Nile fever imported from Austria to Germany

Pietsch, Corinna; Trawinski, Henning; Lübbert, Christoph; Liebert, Uwe G.

doi:10.1111/tbed.13079

Cited by 6 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 16 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…Imported WNV infections were observed earlier in Germany [9,10], but autochthonous transmission of WNV in the country was diagnosed as late as in 2018 for the first time, in resident birds and horses in central-eastern Germany [11]. Prior to that, the virus had been detected neither in potential reservoir species nor in vectors in spite of a comprehensive nationwide wild bird surveillance system [12,13] and an exhaustive mosquito surveillance programme for zoonotic arthropod-borne viruses [14][15][16].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Autochthonous West Nile virus infection outbreak in humans, Leipzig, Germany, August to September 2020

et al. 2020

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Following a distinct summer heat wave, nine autochthonous cases of West Nile fever and West Nile neuroinvasive disease, including one fatality, were observed in Leipzig, Germany, in August and September 2020. Phylogenetic analysis demonstrated close relationships in viruses from humans, animals and mosquitos in eastern Germany, obtained during the preceding 2 years. The described large cluster of autochthonous West Nile virus infections in Germany indicates endemic seasonal circulation of lineage 2 viruses in the area.

show abstract

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Autochthonous West Nile virus infection outbreak in humans, Leipzig, Germany, August to September 2020

et al. 2020

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Recent years have shown a sharp increase in WNV cases [103]. Although serological and molecular screening is regularly carried out in human [113,114] and avian populations [39,87,115], the screening of mosquito populations is less systematic. Also, WNV antibodies are more prevalent in migratory birds, while USUV are more prevalent in resident birds [115].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Mosquitoes of North-Western Europe as Potential Vectors of Arboviruses: A Review

Martinet

Ferté

Failloux

et al. 2019

Viruses

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Background: The intensification of trade and travel is linked to the growing number of imported cases of dengue, chikungunya or Zika viruses into continental Europe and to the expansion of invasive mosquito species such as Aedes albopictus and Aedes japonicus. Local outbreaks have already occurred in several European countries. Very little information exists on the vector competence of native mosquitoes for arboviruses. As such, the vectorial status of the nine mosquito species largely established in North-Western Europe (Aedes cinereus and Aedes geminus, Aedes cantans, Aedes punctor, Aedes rusticus, Anopheles claviger s.s., Anopheles plumbeus, Coquillettidia richiardii, Culex pipiens s.l., and Culiseta annulata) remains mostly unknown. Objectives: To review the vector competence of both invasive and native mosquito populations found in North-Western Europe (i.e., France, Belgium, Germany, United Kingdom, Ireland, The Netherlands, Luxembourg and Switzerland) for dengue, chikungunya, Zika, West Nile and Usutu viruses. Methods: A bibliographical search with research strings addressing mosquito vector competence for considered countries was performed. Results: Out of 6357 results, 119 references were related to the vector competence of mosquitoes in Western Europe. Eight species appear to be competent for at least one virus. Conclusions: Aedes albopictus is responsible for the current outbreaks. The spread of Aedes albopictus and Aedes japonicus increases the risk of the autochthonous transmission of these viruses. Although native species could contribute to their transmission, more studies are still needed to assess that risk.

show abstract

“…IgG detection can be confirmed by a virus neutralization test to rule out serological cross-reactivity. Alternatively, confirmation of a WNV infection can be achieved by NAT, e.g., from the urine or whole blood, where higher concentrations of WNV RNA are present for longer periods of time (weeks) [ 40 , 41 , 42 ].…”

Section: Diagnosticsmentioning

confidence: 99%

West Nile Virus in Germany: An Emerging Infection and Its Relevance for Transfusion Safety

Frank

Schmidt‐Chanasit

Ziegler

et al. 2022

Transfus Med Hemother

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

West Nile virus (WNV) is an arthropod-borne virus (arbovirus). It circulates in an enzootic cycle between ornithophilic mosquitoes as vectors and reservoirs and avian host species for amplification, but humans can be infected as accidental hosts. In most individuals, WNV infection remains silent, while 20% develop mild symptoms of West Nile fever, and only 1% develop neuroinvasive disease (WNND). Human WNV cases have been identified in Southern and Eastern Europe for more than 20 years, but until 2018, Germany was considered to be a non-endemic country. This changed when in the exceptionally warm summer of 2018, conditions for viral replication in mosquitoes were ideal, and the first WNV cases among birds and horses were identified. The widespread domestic <i>Culex</i>mosquitoes are efficient vectors for WNV. Autochthonous mosquito-borne WNV infections in humans were reported in all following years, indicating a continuous circulation in the affected areas of Central-East Germany. So far, no clear expansion of the affected areas is discernible but may develop. WNV is a transfusion-transmissible-infection, and donor deferral or testing of donations after a stay in an affected area are effective means to ensure transfusion safety. WNV transmissions via blood products often result in WNND due to the predisposing underlying medical conditions of transfusion recipients. From 2020 onwards, roughly 80% of all blood establishments in Germany tested their donations for WNV using nucleic acid amplification techniques in the transmission season. Altogether, 19 confirmed WNV infections were identified from 2020–2021. As long as effective and affordable pathogen reduction is not available for all blood components, WNV testing or donor deferral will be essential. In order to timely identify affected areas, combined results of human and veterinary surveillance are needed. Partnerships between public health experts, transfusion medicine specialists, veterinarians, and entomologists should be strengthened to ensure a One Health approach.

show abstract

Short Communication: West Nile fever imported from Austria to Germany

Abstract: This is the first report of West Nile virus (WNV) infection imported by a traveller returning from a neighbouring country to Germany (Austria). Physicians should be aware of the expansion of WNV endemic areas in Europe.

Cited by 6 publications

References 16 publications

Autochthonous West Nile virus infection outbreak in humans, Leipzig, Germany, August to September 2020

Autochthonous West Nile virus infection outbreak in humans, Leipzig, Germany, August to September 2020

Mosquitoes of North-Western Europe as Potential Vectors of Arboviruses: A Review

West Nile Virus in Germany: An Emerging Infection and Its Relevance for Transfusion Safety

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About