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.

Keywords: Sindbis virus; birds; epidemiologic surveillance; horses; mosquitoes; the Netherlands; vector-borne infections; viruses; zoonoses.

Figure

Local circulation of SINV in wild birds and horses, the Netherlands, 2021–2022. A, B) Capture sites and the number of mosquitoes (A) and bird samples (B) screened for SINV by reverse transcription PCR throughout the Netherlands. C) Bird ringing sites (n = 258) of the bird ringers (n = 148) screened for SINV neutralizing antibodies throughout the Netherlands. D) Overview of the serologic screening of horses throughout the Netherlands and birds in a 16-km radius of SINV findings. DR, Drenthe; FL, Flevoland; FR, Friesland; GD, Gelderland; GR, Groningen; LB, Limburg; NB, Noord-Brabant; NH, Noord-Holland; OV Overijssel; SINV, Sindbis virus; UT, Utrecht; ZH, Zuid-Holland; ZL, Zeeland.