Usutu virus
| Usutu virus | |
|---|---|
| Virus classification | |
| Group: | Group IV ((+)ssRNA) |
| Family: | Flaviviridae |
| Genus: | Flavivirus |
| Species: | Usutu virus |
Usutu virus (USUV) first identified in South Africa in 1959,[1] is an emerging zoonotic arbovirus of concern because of its pathogenicity to humans and its similarity in ecology with other emerging arboviruses such as West Nile Virus.[2] USUV is a flavivirus belonging to the Japanese encephalitis complex.[2]
USUV has been reported from several African countries including Senegal, Central African Republic, Nigeria, Uganda, Burkina Faso, Cote d'Ivoire, and Morocco.[2] Only two human cases have been identified in Africa, in 1981 and 2004, with one benign and one severe case described.[2] The virus was identified for the first time outside of Africa in 2001 in Austria, where it caused significant mortality among Old World blackbirds in Vienna.[3] The first human case outside of Africa was reported in Italy in 2009, where an immunocompromised patient was infected, causing encephalitis.[4]
USUV's host range includes primarily Culex mosquitoes, birds, and humans.[2]
References
- ↑ McIntosh, Bruce M. (1985). "Usutu (SA Ar 1776), nouvel arbovirus du groupe B.". International Catalogue of Arboviruses 3: 1059–1060.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 Nikolay, Birgit; Diallo, Mawlouth; Boye, Cheikh Saad Bouh; Sall, Amadou Alpha (November 2011). "Usutu Virus in Africa". Vector-Borne and Zoonotic Diseases 11 (11): 1417–1423. doi:10.1089/vbz.2011.0631. PMID 21767160.
- ↑ Weissenböck, H.; Kolodziejek, J.; Url, A.; Lussy, H.; Rebel-Bauder, B.; Nowotny, N. (July 2002). "Emergence of Usutu virus, an African Mosquito-Borne Flavivirus of the Japanese Encephalitis Virus Group, Central Europe". Emerging Infectious Diseases 8 (7): 652–656. doi:10.3201/eid0807.020094. PMC 2730324. PMID 12095429.
- ↑ Pecorari, M.; Longo, G.; Gennari, W.; Grottola, A.; Sabbatini, A.; Tagliazucchi, S.; Savini, G.; Monaco, F.; Simone, M. (17 December 2009). "First human case of Usutu virus neuroinvasive infection, Italy, August-September 2009". Eurosurveillance 14 (50). PMID 20070936.