Widespread Usutu virus outbreak in birds in the Netherlands, 2016

J M Rijks, M L Kik, R Slaterus, Rpb Foppen, A Stroo, J IJzer, J Stahl, A Gröne, Mgp Koopmans, H P van der Jeugd, Cbem Reusken, J M Rijks, M L Kik, R Slaterus, Rpb Foppen, A Stroo, J IJzer, J Stahl, A Gröne, Mgp Koopmans, H P van der Jeugd, Cbem Reusken

Abstract

We report a widespread Usutu virus outbreak in birds in the Netherlands. Viral presence had been detected through targeted surveillance as early as April 2016 and increased mortality in common blackbirds and captive great grey owls was noticed from August 2016 onwards. Usutu virus infection was confirmed by post-mortem examination and RT-PCR. Extensive Usutu virus activity in the Netherlands in 2016 underlines the need to monitor mosquito activity and mosquito-borne infections in 2017 and beyond.

Keywords: Flaviviridae; Usutu virus; common blackbird (Turdus merula); great grey owl (Strix nebulosa); outbreaks; vector-borne infections.

Conflict of interest statement

Conflicts of Interest: None declared.

This article is copyright of The Authors, 2016.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Spatial distribution of the common blackbird and great grey owl specimens tested for Usutu virus infection and common blackbird mortality as reported by the public, the Netherlands, 1 August–23 September 2016 (inset: common blackbird density 2013–15)
Figure 2
Figure 2
Cumulative number of mosquitoes found per year, at the sites of four used tyre companies, the Netherlands, week 22 to week 37 (end of May to mid-September)

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Source: PubMed

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