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Citation:
Hartup, B. K. 2008. Surveillance for West Nile Virus at the International Crane Foundation 2000-2004. Proceedings of the North American Crane Workshop 10:111-114.
Abstract:
Between 2000 and 2004, serum samples collected annually from captive cranes at the International Crane Foundation (ICF) were analyzed for the presence of West Nile virus (WNV) antibodies using a plaque reduction neutralization test. Eighteen individual cranes representing 8 species were identified with positive titers (geometric mean = 188, range 40–1280, n = 29). Whooping cranes (Grus americana) represented the largest proportion of seropositive individuals (33%). Flock seroprevalence increased rapidly in 2003 and 2004 to a peak of 10%, representing a four-fold increase following index cases in 2000. None of the seropositive cranes, however, showed clinical signs consistent with WNV-related disease during the study. The results suggest that exposure of ICF captive cranes to WNV is relatively common and reaffirmed the decision to implement a limited vaccination plan for hatch-year whooping cranes believed to be at risk of disease from WNV.
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© 2008 North American Crane Working Group
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