Two different West Nile virus (WNV) strains caused lethal encephalitis in a flock of geese and a goshawk in southeastern Hungary in 2003 and 2004, respectively. During the outbreak in geese, 14 confirmed human cases of WNV encephalitis and meningitis were reported in the same area. Sequencing of complete genomes of both WNV strains and phylogenetic analyses showed that the goose-derived strain exhibits closest genetic relationship to strains isolated in 1998 in Israel and to the strain that emerged in 1999 in the United States. WNV derived from the goshawk showed the highest identity to WNV strains of lineage 2 isolated in central Africa. The same strain reemerged in 2005 in the same location, which suggests that the virus may have overwintered in Europe. The emergence of an exotic WNV strain in Hungary emphasizes the role of migrating birds in introducing new viruses to Europe.
Download full-text PDF |
Source |
|---|---|
| http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3294705 | PMC |
| http://dx.doi.org/10.3201/eid1204.051379 | DOI Listing |
Publication Analysis
Top Keywords
Similar Publications
Clinical Characteristics, Laboratory Parameters, and Molecular Epidemiology of Neuroinvasive Flavivirus Infections in a Hotspot Region of Eastern Croatia.
Pathogens
January 2025
Department of Virology, Croatian Institute of Public Health, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia.
Neuroinvasive flaviviruses such as tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) and West Nile virus (WNV) are widely distributed in continental Croatian regions. We analyzed clinical characteristics, laboratory parameters, and molecular epidemiology of neuroinvasive flavivirus infections in eastern Croatia. A total of 43 patients with confirmed flavivirus infection hospitalized from 2017 to 2023 were included in the study.
View Article and Find Full Text PDF: West Nile virus (WNV) is a rapidly growing problem worldwide. The lack of emergency treatment and a safe licensed vaccine against WNV allows the virus to cause sporadic outbreaks of human disease, including fatal cases. Formalin-inactivated vaccines have been used for a long time and have been shown to be very safe and effective, especially in susceptible populations.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFFirst Detection of West Nile Virus Lineage 2 in Vectors in Croatia.
Pathogens
December 2024
Department of Biology, University Josip Juraj Strossmayer of Osijek, 31000 Osijek, Croatia.
The West Nile virus (WNV) has recently become more widespread, posing a threat to both human and animal health. In Western Europe, most outbreaks have been caused by WNV lineage 1, while in Eastern Europe, WNV lineage 2 has led to human and bird mortality. The ability to appropriately manage this threat is dependent on integrated surveillance and early detection.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFFirst isolation of the Sindbis virus in mosquitoes from southwestern Spain reveals a new recent introduction from Africa.
One Health
June 2025
Centro Nacional de Microbiología, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Majadahonda, 28220 Madrid, Spain.
Sindbis virus (SINV), is an of the family . This zoonotic arbovirus is transmitted by mosquitoes, primarily from the genus, with bird species acting as amplifying vertebrate hosts. Occasionally it can also affect humans that are accidental hosts.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFVector competence of Culex quinquefasciatus from Santiago Island, Cape Verde, to West Nile Virus: exploring the potential effect of the vector native Wolbachia.
Parasit Vectors
December 2024
Global Health and Tropical Medicine (GHTM), Associate Laboratory in Translation and Innovation Towards Global Health (LA-REAL), Instituto de Higiene e Medicina Tropical (IHMT), Universidade NOVA de Lisboa (UNL), Rua da Junqueira 100, 1349-008, Lisbon, Portugal.
Background: Culex quinquefasciatus plays a crucial role as a vector of West Nile virus (WNV). This mosquito species is widely distributed in Cape Verde, being found in all inhabited islands of the archipelago. However, no data are currently available on the susceptibility of the local mosquito population to WNV.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFWant AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?
Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!