Relevance of the synergy of surveillance and populational networks in understanding the Usutu virus outbreak within common blackbirds (Turdus merula) in Metropolitan France, 2018

作者：Malika Bouchez-Zacria, Clément Calenge, Alexandre Villers, Sylvie Lecollinet, Gaëlle Gonzalez, Benoît Quintard, Antoine Leclerc, Florence Baurier, Marie-Claire Paty, Éva Faure, Cyril Éraud, Anouk Decors · 发表于：Peer Community Journal · 年份：2025 · DOI：10.24072/pcjournal.513 · 被引用次数：4 · 研究领域：Viral Infections and Vectors、Species Distribution and Climate Change、Animal Ecology and Behavior Studies

Usutu virus (USUV) was first isolated in Africa in 1959 and has since spread to and through Europe with a typical enzootic mosquito-bird cycle. In France, it was first detected in birds in 2015, but during summer 2018 the spread of USUV was particularly significant throughout the country, killing mainly common blackbirds ( Turdus merula ) and to a lesser extent great grey owls ( Strix nebulosa ), among other captive and non-captive wild bird species. Previous studies of USUV in France have focused on reconstructing pathways of introduction, but not on structural aspects of virus spread within the country. Data (RT-PCR of geolocated dead birds) on this 2018 outbreak were collected through both an event-based wildlife network named SAGIR and the health surveillance of the French-speaking Association of Zoo Veterinarians (AFVPZ). In addition, common blackbird populations could be monitored through another network (REZOP). Statistical analysis (spatial, temporal, spatiotemporal and environmental determinants) of the SAGIR and AFVPZ network data helped to highlight the early appearance of separate large clusters of USUV cases in mid-July 2018, the subsequent diffusion into smaller and secondary clusters at the end of August 2018, and a meanwhile enlargement of the first clusters with an increase in the number of cases. High human density (top 10.5% densest areas in France) and wetland concentration (top 19.3% most likely wetland areas) were significant factors in USUV case locatio...