A nyugat-nílusi vírus hazai előfordulása szúnyog-vektorokban és gerinces gazdákban

Abstract

SUMMARY West Nile virus (WNV) is a widely distributed mosquito-borne flavivirus. WNV associated disease and mortality in animal and human hosts have been diagnosed in Hungary since 2003. Over the past years (2009-2015) active and passive monitoring programs have been carried out to survey WNV activity in Hungary. Each year WNV infections have been detected in wild bird carcasses and horses showing neurological signs. During a two year mosquito surveillance programme in 2011–2012, the viral RNA has been isolated from three different mosquito species (Ochlerotatus annulipes, Coquillettidia richiardii és Culex pipiens). Besides the monitoring programs, we have tested potential molecular markers of pathogenicity of the Hungarian lineage 2 WNV strain. The present study clearly demonstrates the presence of WNV in the country and reconfirms the importance of regular and expanded surveillance programs.