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West Nile Virus infections detected in Britain

July 18, 2003

A paper in the Journal of General Virology reveals that evidence of West Nile virus infections has been found in birds in Britain, according to a team of scientists led by the Centre for Ecology and Hydrology (CEH) at Oxford. There are no known cases of human infection and no disease reported in birds.

Dr Ernie Gould and colleagues believe that West Nile virus is present and being effectively transmitted between resident and migratory birds. This is the first time active transmission of the virus has been reported in the UK.

The virus is carried by mosquitoes, which transfer the virus when they feed on the blood of birds. Migratory birds probably carry the virus to Britain where it is passed to native birds

The research provides no evidence that the virus has transferred from mosquitoes to people in the UK. There also appears to be no threat to other wildlife species, farm animals or pets.

The CEH research team tested 30 different species of resident and migrant birds, including carrion crows, magpies, robins, swallows and blackbirds, and farm birds such as ducks, chickens and turkeys. The tests were mainly carried out on birds from three rural areas - Cambridgeshire, Dorset and South Wales.

The results show that resident birds have been exposed to West Nile virus. A relatively high proportion of the resident birds have antibodies that protect against the virus. The fact that they are healthy indicates that the virus is not virulent for the birds, and may have been present in the UK for many years.

Dr Gould emphasises that the tests have been carried out on birds from only three rural areas. He says, "There is no obvious immediate threat to people or animals but we do need to continue to monitor and assess the situation ."

Natural Environment Research Council (NERC)