Reconstruction of the molecular evolution of Usutu virus in Germany: Insights into virus emersion and circulation.

ABSTRACT: Usutu virus (USUV) is a mosquito-borne flavivirus that is widely distributed in southern and central Europe. The zoonotic virus circulates primarily between birds and mosquitoes, can, however, in rare cases infect other mammals including humans. In the past, USUV has been repeatedly associated with mass mortalities in birds, primarily blackbirds and owls. Birds commonly succumb either due to the peracute nature of the infection or due to severe encephalitis. In Germany, USUV has spread rapidly since its first detection in 2010 in mosquitoes under the presence of susceptible host and vector species. Nonetheless, there is to date limited access to whole genome sequences resulting in the absence of in-depth phylogenetic and phylodynamic analyses. In this study, 118 wild and captive birds were

SUBMITTER: Bergmann F 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10569574 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature