Overwintering West Nile virus in active Culex pipiens mosquito populations in Greece.
Parasit Vectors
; 17(1): 286, 2024 Jul 02.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-38956733
ABSTRACT
The flavivirus West Nile Virus (WNV), which is transmitted by mosquitoes, poses a significant threat to both humans and animals, and its outbreaks often challenge public health in Europe and other continents. In recent years, there is an increasing trend of WNV incidence rates across several European countries. However, whether there is a year-round circulation or seasonal introduction has yet to be elucidated. Real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) identified WNV-positive Culex pipiens mosquitos in 6 out of 146 pools examined in winter 2022 that correspond to three out of the 24 study areas, located in two coastal regions units in Attica, Greece. Spatial dispersion of the six positive pools in the same region suggests a clustered circulation of WNV during the winter of 2022. This is the first study that documents the identification of WNV in Cx. pipiens populations, captured in adult traps during winter period. Our findings underscore the need to extend entomological surveillance programs to include the winter period, specifically in temperate climates and historically affected areas by WNV.
Key words
Full text:
1
Collection:
01-internacional
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Seasons
/
West Nile Fever
/
West Nile virus
/
Culex
/
Mosquito Vectors
Limits:
Animals
Country/Region as subject:
Europa
Language:
En
Journal:
Parasit Vectors
Year:
2024
Document type:
Article
Affiliation country:
Greece