Tracking the Pathways of West Nile Virus: Phylogenetic and Phylogeographic Analysis of a 2024 Isolate from Portugal DOI Creative Commons

Diogo Maroco,

Ricardo Parreira, Fábio A. Abade dos Santos

et al.

Microorganisms, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 13(3), P. 585 - 585

Published: March 4, 2025

Birds are natural hosts for numerous zoonotic viral pathogens, including West Nile virus, which is transmitted by mosquitoes. During migration, birds can act as vectors the geographic spread of viruses. WNV endemic in Portugal, causing annual outbreaks, particularly horses. Here, we report first detection an avian strain isolated from a wild bird (Astur gentilis) collected Portugal mid-September 2024. Phylogenetic and phylogeographic analyses were conducted to trace virus’s origin potential transmission routes, integrating obtained full-length genomic sequence with dataset strains Africa Europe (1951–2024). analysis 92 sequences spanning lineages 1–5 positioned 2024 isolate within lineage 1a. Results using phylodynamics-based showed that this likely originated reached via Spain’s Cádiz coast, confirming previously described dispersal patterns between Europe. The data suggest migratory route Europe, extending through countries such Senegal, Mauritania, Morocco, Spain, Italy, France, indicating reciprocal flow virus back into Africa. These routes match paths Afro-Palearctic species, emphasizing role long-distance WNV.

Language: Английский

Tracking the Pathways of West Nile Virus: Phylogenetic and Phylogeographic Analysis of a 2024 Isolate from Portugal DOI Creative Commons

Diogo Maroco,

Ricardo Parreira, Fábio A. Abade dos Santos

et al.

Microorganisms, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 13(3), P. 585 - 585

Published: March 4, 2025

Birds are natural hosts for numerous zoonotic viral pathogens, including West Nile virus, which is transmitted by mosquitoes. During migration, birds can act as vectors the geographic spread of viruses. WNV endemic in Portugal, causing annual outbreaks, particularly horses. Here, we report first detection an avian strain isolated from a wild bird (Astur gentilis) collected Portugal mid-September 2024. Phylogenetic and phylogeographic analyses were conducted to trace virus’s origin potential transmission routes, integrating obtained full-length genomic sequence with dataset strains Africa Europe (1951–2024). analysis 92 sequences spanning lineages 1–5 positioned 2024 isolate within lineage 1a. Results using phylodynamics-based showed that this likely originated reached via Spain’s Cádiz coast, confirming previously described dispersal patterns between Europe. The data suggest migratory route Europe, extending through countries such Senegal, Mauritania, Morocco, Spain, Italy, France, indicating reciprocal flow virus back into Africa. These routes match paths Afro-Palearctic species, emphasizing role long-distance WNV.

Language: Английский

Citations

0