Abstract
A West Nile virus (WNV) lineage 2 strain was molecularly identified and characterised in a Eurasian magpie hunted in Greece in 2010, during a WNV outbreak in humans. Phylogenetic analysis revealed the highest sequence similarity (>99%) with other WNV lineage 2 strains derived from birds of prey in Austria and Hungary (2004–2009). This first molecular detection of WNV in sedentary wild birds in Greece, which are possible reservoirs of the virus, is a public health concern.
Highlights
West Nile virus (WNV) is a mosquito-transmissible Flavivirus with zoonotic potential
The WNV sequence derived from the Greek magpie clustered with WNV lineage 2 (L2) strain sequences and presented highest (99.9%) sequence similarity to L2 strain sequences derived from birds of prey in Austria obtained in 2008 and 2009 [2]
From early July through October 2010, a WNV outbreak in humans occurred in northern Greece, as confirmed by serologic evidence
Summary
West Nile virus (WNV) is a mosquito-transmissible Flavivirus with zoonotic potential. The virus has been present in Europe for decades; only recently were strains of lineage 2 (L2) identified outside of Africa: in 2004 and 2005 in goshawks in Hungary, in 2007 in Volgograd, Russia, and in 2008 and 2009 in goshawks and a falcon in Austria [1,2,3]. From early July through October 2010, 261 laboratory-confirmed cases of WNV infection in humans were reported in northern Greece as part of an outbreak. 191 patients presented with neuro-invasive symptoms, and 34 deaths were reported [4]. Most cases were observed in central Macedonia, in areas located between four major rivers (Axios, Loudias, Aliakmon and Gallikos) which converge into a common delta, a well-known resting and breeding ground for migratory birds
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