Experimental infection of common eider ducklings with Wellfleet Bay virus, a newly characterized orthomyxovirus

Emerging Infectious Diseases
By: , and 

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Abstract

Wellfleet Bay virus (WFBV), a novel orthomyxovirus in the genus Quaranjavirus, was first isolated in 2006 from carcasses of common eider (Somateria mollissima) during a mortality event in Wellfleet Bay (Barnstable County, Massachusetts, USA) and has since been repeatedly isolated during recurrent mortality events in this location. Hepatic, pancreatic, splenic, and intestinal necrosis were observed in dead eiders. We inoculated 6-week-old common eider ducklings with WFBV in an attempt to recreate the naturally occurring disease. Approximately 25% of inoculated eiders had onset of clinical disease and required euthanasia; an additional 18.75% were adversely affected based on net weight loss during the trial. Control ducklings did not become infected and did not have clinical disease. Infected ducklings with clinical disease had pathologic lesions consistent with those observed during natural mortality events. WFBV was re-isolated from 37.5% of the inoculated ducklings. Ducklings surviving to 5 days postinoculation developed serum antibody titers to WFBV.

Publication type Article
Publication Subtype Journal Article
Title Experimental infection of common eider ducklings with Wellfleet Bay virus, a newly characterized orthomyxovirus
Series title Emerging Infectious Diseases
DOI 10.3201/eid2312.160366
Volume 23
Issue 12
Year Published 2017
Language English
Publisher CDC
Contributing office(s) National Wildlife Health Center
Description 8 p.
First page 1974
Last page 1981
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