Low West Nile virus circulation in wild birds in an area of recurring outbreaks in Southern France

Vector Borne Zoonotic Dis. 2009 Dec;9(6):737-41. doi: 10.1089/vbz.2008.0147.

Abstract

West Nile virus (WNV) has a history of irregular but recurrent epizootics in countries of Mediterranean and of Central and Eastern Europe. We have investigated the temporal enzootic activity of WNV in free-ranging birds over a 3-year period in an area with sporadic occurrences of WNV outbreaks in Southern France. We conducted an intensive serologic survey on several wild bird populations (>4000 serum samples collected from 3300 birds) selected as potential indicators of the WNV circulation. WNV antibodies were detected by seroneutralization and/or plaque reduction neutralization in house sparrows, black-billed magpies, and scops owls, but these species appeared to be insufficient indicators of WNV circulation. Overall seroprevalence was low (<1%), including in birds that had been potentially exposed to the virus during recent outbreaks. However, the detection of a seroconversion in one bird, as well as the detection of seropositive birds in all years of our monitoring, including juveniles, indicate a constant annual circulation of WNV at a low level, including in years without any detectable emergence of WN fever in horses or humans.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antibodies, Viral / blood*
  • Bird Diseases / epidemiology
  • Bird Diseases / immunology
  • Birds / blood
  • Birds / immunology*
  • Birds / virology*
  • France / epidemiology
  • Neutralization Tests / veterinary
  • Seroepidemiologic Studies
  • West Nile Fever / epidemiology
  • West Nile Fever / veterinary
  • West Nile virus / immunology*

Substances

  • Antibodies, Viral