Circulation of zoonotic flaviviruses in wild passerine birds in Western Spain

• Published in: Veterinary microbiology 2022-05, Vol.268, p.109399-109399, Article 109399
• Main Authors: Marzal, A., Ferraguti, M., Muriel, J., Magallanes, S., Ortiz, J.A., García-Longoria, L., Bravo-Barriga, D., Guerrero-Carvajal, F., Aguilera-Sepúlveda, P., Llorente, F., de Lope, F., Jiménez–Clavero, M.Á., Frontera, E.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Amandava amandava; Animals; Animals, Wild; Antibodies; Antibodies, Viral; Arboviruses; Avian reservoir hosts; Bird Diseases - epidemiology; birds; Flaviviridae; Flavivirus - genetics; Flavivirus Infections - epidemiology; Flavivirus Infections - veterinary; microbiology; Migratory species; monitoring; Passeriformes; Public health; Spain; Spain - epidemiology; Usutu virus; West Nile Fever - epidemiology; West Nile Fever - veterinary; West Nile virus; Zoonoses
• ISSN: 0378-1135; 1873-2542
• DOI: 10.1016/j.vetmic.2022.109399

We explore the presence of zoonotic flaviviruses (West Nile virus (WNV) and Usutu virus (USUV)) neutralizing antibodies in rarely studied passerine bird species. We report, for the first time in Europe, WNV-specific antibodies in red avadavat and cetti’s warbler, and USUV in yellow-crowned bishop. The evidence of WNV and USUV circulating in resident and migratory species has implications for both animal and public health. Future outbreaks in avian reservoir hosts may occur and passerines should be considered as priority target species in flavivirus surveillance programmes. •West Nile virus (WNV) and Usutu virus (USUV) are emerging vector-borne zoonotic arboviruses with broadening incidence and distribution.•The role of small passerine as WNV and USUV reservoir and potential amplifying hosts of infection is still unclear in Europe.•We confirm flavivirus’ exposure in 82 individuals from 8 bird species that come in frequent contact with humans.•We report, for the first time in Europe, WNV-specific antibodies in red avadavat and cetti’s warbler, and USUV in yellow-crowned bishop.•These outcomes stress the importance to include passerines in the routine surveillance programmes for zoonotic diseases.