Serologic Evidence for West Nile Virus Infection in Birds in the New York City Vicinity During an Outbreak in 1999

As part of an investigation of an encephalitis outbreak in New York City, we sampled 430 birds, representing 18 species in four orders, during September 13-23, 1999, in Queens and surrounding counties. Overall, 33% were positive for West Nile (WN) virus-neutralizing antibodies, and 0.5% were positiv...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Emerging Infectious Diseases
Main Authors: Nicholas Komar, Nicholas A. Panella, Joseph E. Burns, Stephen W. Dusza, Tina M. Mascarenhas, Thomas O. Talbot
Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
Language:English
Published: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 2001
Subjects:
Arbovirus
Flaviviridae
west nile virus
wnv
birds
New York
Medicine
R
Infectious and parasitic diseases
RC109-216
Canada
St. Louis
Canada Goose
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.3201/eid0704.017403
https://doaj.org/article/b45ef0259f5542b6b962292da98ad48e
Description
Summary:As part of an investigation of an encephalitis outbreak in New York City, we sampled 430 birds, representing 18 species in four orders, during September 13-23, 1999, in Queens and surrounding counties. Overall, 33% were positive for West Nile (WN) virus-neutralizing antibodies, and 0.5% were positive for St. Louis encephalitis virus-neutralizing antibodies. By county, Queens had the most seropositive birds for WN virus (50%); species with the greatest seropositivity for WN virus (sample sizes were at least six) were Domestic Goose, Domestic Chicken, House Sparrow, Canada Goose, and Rock Dove. One sampled bird, a captive adult Domestic Goose, showed signs of illness; WN virus infection was confirmed. Our results support the concept that chickens and House Sparrows are good arbovirus sentinels. This study also implicates the House Sparrow as an important vertebrate reservoir host.

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