One-hundred six birds of 14 species were inoculated with approximately 1027 plaqueforming units of Ockelbo virus and bled daily for 5 days to determine viremia levels. Virus was detected in birds of all 14 species tested (four Anseriformes, one Galliformes and nine Passeriformes). The onset of viremia occurred earlier and viral titers were higher in very young anseriforms and galliforms than in older birds. Adult passeriforms had Ockelbo viremias of higher titer and longer duration than did adult anseriforms. Viremia titers in adult birds of all three orders tested were sufficient to induce high transmission rates in enzootic mosquito vectors, and viremias in passeriforms could induce high transmission rates in bridging vectors as well. Passeriforms of the genera Turdus and Fringilla could serve as amplification hosts for Ockelbo virus based on the presently demonstrated viremia of high titer and long duration in these birds, and the previously demonstrated high prevalence of Ockelbo virus neutralizing antibodies in free-ranging individuals and great population size compared to birds of other taxa. Bird species of all three orders tested, however, could function as incidental hosts of the virus.
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1 April 1993
VIREMIA IN THREE ORDERS OF BIRDS (ANSERIFORMES, GALLIFORMES AND PASSERIFORMES) INOCULATED WITH OCKELBO VIRUS
Jan O. Lundström,
Michael J. Turell,
Bo Niklasson
Journal of Wildlife Diseases
Vol. 29 • No. 2
April 1993
Vol. 29 • No. 2
April 1993
alphavirus
amplification host
Bird
experimental viraemia
incidental host
Ockelbo virus
Passeriformes