The isolation and classification of Tern virus: Influenza Virus A/Tern/South Africa/1961

• Published in: Journal of Hygiene
• Main Author: Becker, W. B.
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Cambridge University Press (CUP) 1966
• Subjects: Common tern; Sterna hirundo
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s0022172400040596; https://www.cambridge.org/core/services/aop-cambridge-core/content/view/S0022172400040596

The aetiological agent of an epizootic among Common Terns ( Sterna hirundo ) in South Africa in 1961 was isolated from several sick birds and named Tern virus. It was classified on the basis of antigenic and morphological properties as a strain of avian influenza virus, Myxovirus influenzae A/Tern/South Africa/1961. The strain-specific antigen of Tern virus was unrelated to all known influenza strains with the single exception of Chicken/Scotland/1959 virus and the two viruses may be regarded as variants of the same strain. This relationship raised the interesting epidemiological possibility of the spread of infection between sea-birds and domestic poultry because the Common Tern migrates between Europe and South Africa.