Emerging Infectious Diseases (Apr 2020)

West Nile Virus in Farmed Crocodiles, Zambia, 2019

  • Edgar Simulundu,
  • Kunda Ndashe,
  • Herman M. Chambaro,
  • David Squarre,
  • Paul Michael Reilly,
  • Simbarashe Chitanga,
  • Katendi Changula,
  • Andrew N. Mukubesa,
  • Joseph Ndebe,
  • John Tembo,
  • Nathan Kapata,
  • Matthew Bates,
  • Yona Sinkala,
  • Bernard M. Hang’ombe,
  • King S. Nalubamba,
  • Masahiro Kajihara,
  • Michihito Sasaki,
  • Yasuko Orba,
  • Ayato Takada,
  • Hirofumi Sawa

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3201/eid2604.190954
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 26, no. 4
pp. 811 – 814

Abstract

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We detected West Nile virus (WNV) nucleic acid in crocodiles (Crocodylus niloticus) in Zambia. Phylogenetically, the virus belonged to lineage 1a, which is predominant in the Northern Hemisphere. These data provide evidence that WNV is circulating in crocodiles in Africa and increases the risk for animal and human transmission.

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