Birds are the major amplifying host for West Nile virus (WNV), a flavivirus that may affect humans and transmitted by bloodsucking vectors. Eleonora's Falcons (Falco eleonorae) migrate to the Canary Islands annually from WNV-endemic regions. To investigate the possible role of Eleonora's Falcons in the circulation of WNV, we measured WNV-specific antibodies in 81 falcons captured in 2006. None of the nestlings but 14.8% of the adults had WNV-neutralizing antibodies. RT-PCR did not detect flaviviruses in nonculicine ectoparasites (n=231) of the falcons. These findings suggest that WNV infection did not occur locally, but rather on the wintering grounds or during migration.
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1 October 2010
Prevalence of Neutralizing Antibodies to West Nile Virus in Eleonora's Falcons in the Canary Islands
Laura Gangoso,
Juan Manuel Grande,
Francisco Llorente,
Miguel Ángel Jiménez-Clavero,
Jesús M. Pérez,
Jordi Figuerola
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Journal of Wildlife Diseases
Vol. 46 • No. 4
October 2010
Vol. 46 • No. 4
October 2010
Canary Islands
Eleonora's Falcon
louse flies
neutralizing antibodies
West Nile virus