Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Chronic West Nile virus infection in kea (Nestor notabilis).
- Journal:
- Veterinary microbiology
- Year:
- 2016
- Authors:
- Bakonyi, Tamás et al.
- Affiliation:
- Institute of Virology
- Species:
- bird
Abstract
Six kea (Nestor notabilis) in human care, naturally infected with West Nile virus (WNV) lineage 2 in Vienna, Austria, in 2008, developed mild to fatal neurological signs. WNV RNA persisted and the virus evolved in the birds' brains, as demonstrated by (phylo)genetic analyses of the complete viral genomes detected in kea euthanized between 2009 and 2014. WNV antibodies persisted in the birds, too. Chronic WNV infection in the brain might contribute to the circulation of the virus through oral transmission to predatory birds.
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Search related cases →Original publication: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26790946/