Widespread Usutu virus outbreak in birds in the Netherlands, 2016

2016153 citationsJournal Articlediamond Open Access

Authors

JM Rijks · Utrecht University

ML Kik · Utrecht University

Roy Slaterus · Dutch Centre for Field Ornithology

RPB Foppen · Radboud University Nijmegen

Arjan Stroo · Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority

Jooske IJzer · Utrecht University

Julia Stahl ·

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.

Topics & Keywords

Mosquito-borne diseases and control Viral Infections and Vectors Vector-borne infectious diseases

UN Sustainable Development Goals

Good health and well-being

Publication Details

Published in: Eurosurveillance

Volume 21, Issue 45

DOI: 10.2807/1560-7917.es.2016.21.45.30391

Field-Weighted Citation Impact: 11.21