Genomic monitoring to understand the emergence and spread of Usutu virus in the Netherlands, 2016-2018

Kik, M.J.L. (Marja); Kohl, R.H.G.; Koopmans, M. (M.); Linden, A. van der; Münger, E. (E.); Nieuwenhuijse, D.F. (David F.); Oude Munnink, B.B. (Bas B.); Reusken, C.B.E.M. (Chantal); Rijks, J.M. (Jolianne); Schapendonk, C.M.E. (Claudia); van der Jeugd, H.P.

Genomic monitoring to understand the emergence and spread of Usutu virus in the Netherlands, 2016-2018

Authors: M.J.L. (Marja) Kik
R.H.G. Kohl
M. (M.) Koopmans
A. van der Linden
E. (E.) Münger
D.F. (David F.) Nieuwenhuijse
B.B. (Bas B.) Oude Munnink
C.B.E.M. (Chantal) Reusken
J.M. (Jolianne) Rijks
C.M.E. (Claudia) Schapendonk
H.P. van der Jeugd
Publication date: 1 January 2020
Publisher: 'Springer Science and Business Media LLC'
Doi

Abstract

Usutu virus (USUV) is a mosquito-borne flavivirus circulating in Western Europe that causes die-offs of mainly common blackbirds (Turdus merula). In the Netherlands, USUV was first detected in 2016, when it was identified as the likely cause of an outbreak in birds. In this study, dead blackbirds were collected, screened for the presence of USUV and submitted to Nanopore-based sequencing. Genomic sequence