Seroconversion in Wild Birds and Local Circulation of West Nile Virus, Spain

Abstract

A serosurvey for neutralizing antibodies against West Nile virus (WNV) in common coots (Fulica atra) was conducted in Doñana, Spain. Antibody prevalence was highest in 2003, intermediate in 2004, and lowest in 2005. Some birds seroreverted <1 year after first capture. Seroconversion of birds suggests local circulation of the virus.

Keywords

• Dispersal
• reservoir ecology
• seroconversion
• seroprevalence
• virus circulation
• West Nile virus ecology