West Nile virus antibody prevalence in red-winged blackbirds (Agelaius phoeniceus) from North Dakota, USA (2003-2004).
This study was designed to explore the role that red-winged blackbirds (Agelaius phoeniceus) may have played in disseminating West Nile virus (WNV) across the United States. Using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays designed to detect WNV antibodies in avian species we were able to determine the WNV antibody prevalence in a cohort of red-winged blackbirds in central North Dakota in 2003 and 2004. The peak WNV antibody prevalence was 22.0% in August of 2003 and 18.3% in July of 2004. The results of this study suggest that red-winged blackbird migratory populations may be an important viral dispersal mechanism with the ability to spread arboviruses such as WNV across the United States.
Sullivan
Heather
H
USDA National Wildlife Research Center, Fort Collins, Colorado 80521, USA. Heather.Sullivan@aphis.usda.gov
Linz
George
G
Clark
Larry
L
Salman
Mo
M
D000818:Animals; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000097:blood*; D001715:Bird Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology*; D004197:Disease Reservoirs / Q000662:veterinary* / Q000821:virology; D009658:North Dakota / Q000453:epidemiology; D046109:Passeriformes; D012621:Seasons; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies; D014901:West Nile Fever / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D014902:West Nile virus / Q000276:immunology*
D000914:Antibodies, Viral