Usutu Virus, Italy, 1996

Abstract

Retrospective analysis of archived tissue samples from bird deaths in the Tuscany region of Italy in 1996 identified Usutu virus. Partial sequencing confirmed identity with the 2001 Vienna strain and provided evidence for a much earlier introduction of this virus into Europe than previously assumed.

Keywords

• Usutu virus
• viruses
• blackbirds
• mortality
• archived tissue samples
• Italy