Local Circulation of Sindbis Virus in Wild Birds and Horses, the Netherlands, 2021-2022.
Abstract: We report Sindbis virus circulation in the Netherlands based on serologic evidence found in 6 resident wild birds and 3 horses (2021-2022). Tested mosquitoes were molecularly negative, and humans were serologically negative. Veterinarians and health practitioners in the Netherlands should be aware of the importance of surveillance for Sindbis virus.
Publication Date: 2025-03-26 PubMed ID: 40133068PubMed Central: PMC11950264DOI: 10.3201/eid3104.241503Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary
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The research indicates the presence of the Sindbis virus in the Netherlands, found in resident wild birds and horses during 2021-2022. However, tested mosquitoes and humans were found to be free from the virus, urging the need for continual surveillance by veterinarians and health practitioners.
Research Explanation
- The researchers of this study aimed to identify the presence and circulation of the Sindbis virus within various species in the Netherlands over the course of 2021-2022.
- The Sindbis virus was identified based on serological testing—that is, testing of blood serum. This kind of testing is predominantly used to detect the presence of antibodies, which are proteins generated by the body’s immune system to fight various diseases, like viruses.
- The presence of these antibodies suggests exposure to the Sindbis virus among the test subjects. In this case, six resident wild birds and three horses were found to have these antibodies, hence indicating that they had been exposed to the virus.
The Role of Mosquitoes and Humans
- The researchers also examined mosquitoes and humans to see if the virus was present in these populations. Mosquitoes are a notable subject for this kind of testing, as they are commonly vectors, or carriers, for many types of viruses.
- However, both mosquitoes and humans were found to be free from the Sindbis virus. This is significantly notable for public health as the absence of the virus in humans indicates that there has been no transmission of the virus to humans thus far.
Implications for Practitioners
- Despite the absence of the virus in mosquitoes and humans, the researchers emphasize the importance of continued surveillance for the Sindbis virus.
- This is particularly important for veterinarians — given that horses have been found to carry the virus — and health practitioners, who would be responsible for detecting any potential transmission of the virus to humans.
- The research underlines the need for increased awareness among these professionals in the Netherlands regarding the existence and potential impact of the Sindbis virus.
Cite This Article
APA
Streng K, Holicki CM, Hesson JC, Graham H, Chandler F, Krol L, Blom R, Münger E, van der Linden A, Koenraadt CJM, Schrama M, de Saint Lary CB, Visser LG, Munnink BO, Lundkvist Å, Koopmans MPG, van der Jeugd HP, van der Poel WHM, Sikkema RS.
(2025).
Local Circulation of Sindbis Virus in Wild Birds and Horses, the Netherlands, 2021-2022.
Emerg Infect Dis, 31(4), 863-866.
https://doi.org/10.3201/eid3104.241503 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Horses
- Netherlands / epidemiology
- Sindbis Virus
- Birds / virology
- Animals, Wild / virology
- Alphavirus Infections / epidemiology
- Alphavirus Infections / veterinary
- Alphavirus Infections / virology
- Bird Diseases / virology
- Bird Diseases / epidemiology
- Horse Diseases / virology
- Horse Diseases / epidemiology
- Humans
- History, 21st Century
- Antibodies, Viral / blood
References
This article includes 10 references
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Citations
This article has been cited 1 times.- Jagdev M, Parekh I, Bruce RC, Spiro S, Johnston CJ, Abbott AJ, Ethan Wrigglesworth, Pearce-Kelly P, Vaux AGC, Medlock JM, Johnson N, Folly AJ, Schilling M. Enhanced surveillance to assess the presence of Sindbis and Batai virus in mosquito populations at an urban zoo in the United Kingdom. Parasit Vectors 2025 Dec 7;19(1):25.
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