title: Field Methods and Sample Collection Techniques for the Surveillance of West Nile Virus in Avian Hosts.
abstract: Avian hosts play an important role in the spread, maintenance, and amplification of West Nile virus (WNV). Avian susceptibility to WNV varies from species to species thus surveillance efforts can focus both on birds that survive infection and those that succumb. Here we describe methods for the collection and sampling of live birds for WNV antibodies or viremia, and methods for the sampling of dead birds. Target species and study design considerations are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Sacramento Yolo Mosquito and Vector Control District, 8631 Bond Road, Elk Grove, CA, 95624, USA. swheeler@fightthebite.net.
authors.forename: Sarah S
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Wheeler
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California-Davis, Davis, CA, USA.
authors.forename: Walter M
authors.initials: WM
authors.lastname: Boyce
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California-Davis, Davis, CA, USA.
authors.forename: William K
authors.initials: WK
authors.lastname: Reisen
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000032:analysis; D001715:Bird Diseases / Q000276:immunology / Q000401:mortality / Q000821:virology*; D001717:Birds / Q000821:virology; D009033:Culicidae / Q000821:virology; D007303:Insect Vectors / Q000821:virology; D011159:Population Surveillance / Q000379:methods*; D013048:Specimen Handling; D014766:Viremia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000276:immunology / Q000662:veterinary; D014901:West Nile Fever / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000276:immunology / Q000401:mortality / Q000662:veterinary; D014902:West Nile virus / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000302:isolation & purification*
chemical_list: D000914:Antibodies, Viral
keywords: Avian; Sample collection; Surveillance; WNV; West Nile virus