West Nile virus in birds, Argentina.

DÍAZ, L. A.,; N. KOMAR,; A. M. VISINTIN,; M. J. DANTUR JURI,; M. STEIN,; R. LOBOS ALLENDE,; L. SPINSANTI,; B. KONIGHEIM,; M. LAURITO,; J. AGUILAR,; W. ALMIRÓN; M. CONTIGIANI.

EMERGING INFECTIOUS DISEASES

CENTERS DISEASE CONTROL

Año: 2008 vol. 14 p. 689 - 691

1080-6040

West Nile Virus (WNV) has been rapidly dispersing through the Americas since its introduction in 1999 in New York state. The first report of WNV activity in the South America surfaced in April 2006, when 3 horses died in Argentina. We report evidence for the introduction and establishment of WNV in the country as early as January 2005. Serum samples from free-ranging birds were collected from 5 locations in Argentina and screened for generic flavivirus antibodies. Overall, 25.6% of serum specimens from 117 bird species collected from January to June 2006 tested positive. SLEV infections were confirmed in 105 birds; WNV infections were confirmed in 43 birds. Anti-WNV antibody titers ranged from 40 to 2,560 in birds collected in Mar Chiquita. The high titers of WNV-reactive antibody are strongly indicative of WNV infections. Our serologic data suggest that WNV has established itself in 4 ecologic regions in Argentina in a brief period.