Virological Passive Surveillance of Avian Influenza and Arboviruses in Wild Birds: A Two-Year Study (2023–2024) in Lombardy, Italy

• Published in: Microorganisms (Basel) Vol. 13; no. 5; p. 958
• Main Authors: Rapi, Maria Cristina, Martin, Ana Maria Moreno, Lelli, Davide, Lavazza, Antonio, Raimondi, Stefano, Farioli, Marco, Chiari, Mario, Grilli, Guido
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Switzerland MDPI AG 22.04.2025; MDPI
• Subjects: Animal populations; Asymptomatic; Avian flu; Avian influenza; Biodiversity; Bird impact; Bird migration; Bird populations; Birds; Blood & organ donations; Disease; Economic impact; Epidemiology; Genomes; H5N1; Health surveillance; HPAIV clade 2.3.4.4b; Infections; Influenza; Nervous system diseases; Neurological diseases; Orthomyxoviridae; Pathogens; Populations; Poultry; Public health; Surveillance; Usutu virus; Vector-borne diseases; Veterinary medicine; Viruses; West Nile fever; West Nile virus; wild birds; Wildlife; Zoonoses; Italy; Germany; Western Europe; Lombardy Italy; Europe; wild birds; H5N1; avian influenza; HPAIV clade 2.3.4.4b; Usutu virus; West Nile virus; passive surveillance
• ISSN: 2076-2607; 2076-2607
• DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms13050958

Avian influenza (AI), caused by Alphainfluenzavirus (family Orthomyxoviridae), poses significant threats to poultry, biodiversity, and public health. AI outbreaks in poultry lead to severe economic losses, while highly pathogenic strains (HPAIVs) severely impact wild bird populations, with implications for biodiversity and potential zoonotic risks. Similarly, arboviruses such as West Nile virus (WNV) and Usutu virus (USUV) are emerging zoonoses. WNV can cause severe neurological diseases in birds, humans, and other animals, while USUV significantly affects blackbird populations and has zoonotic potential, though human cases remain rare. This study investigated avian viruses in 1654 wild birds from 75 species that died at the Wildlife Rescue Center in Vanzago, Lombardy, during 2023–2024. Necropsies were conducted, and virological analyses were performed to detect avian influenza viruses, WNV, and USUV. Among the tested birds, 15 were positive for H5N1 HPAIV clade 2.3.4.4b, all in 2023, including 13 Chroicocephalus ridibundus, one Coturnix coturnix, and one Columba palumbus. Additionally, 16 tested positive for WNV (15 for lineage 2 and one for lineage 1), one for USUV, and 11 co-infections WNV/USUV were recorded in 2023–2024. These findings underscore the importance of avian viral passive surveillance in identifying epidemiological trends and preventing transmission to other species, including mammals and humans.