Comment on possiblity of Mumbai die-off being caused by WNV

From ProMED:

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Date: Tue, 7 Jun 2005 21:33:22 -0400 (EDT)
From: ProMED-mail
Subject: PRO/AH> Crow die-off - India (Mumbai, Khar-Bandra) (02)

CROW DIE-OFF - INDIA (MUMBAI, KHAR-BANDRA) (02)
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Date: Mon 6 Jun 2005
From: Robert G. McLean, PhD


West Nile virus (WNV) infection is one of the possibilities, but the stiff legs and wings were not indicative of WNV-infected American crows -- flaccid paralysis was more common.

WNV strains in the eastern hemisphere are not known to be virulent for birds except for the Israel Goose strain, which could be introduced elsewhere besides North America.

The easiest way to screen for WNV in crows is to use the simple dip-stick test (VecTest) on oral and cloacal swabs from live and recently dead crows. See webpage at:
.

PCR confirmatory tests would be beneficial.

- --
Robert G. McLean, Ph.D.
Program Manager Wildlife Diseases
National Wildlife Research Center
WS/APHIS/USDA
4101 Laporte Avenue
Fort Collins, CO 80521-2154


[West Nile virus infection is only one of many possible explanations for the
death of large numbers of crows in Mumbai and surroundings. Dr. McLean has pointed out that West Nile virus strains in the eastern hemisphere are not known to be virulent for [wild] birds. This true throughout the range of West Nile virus in Western Europe. The American experience is the exception.

Use of the rapid user-friendly diagnostic test described by Dr. McLean would
resolve the question without delay, and allow attention to be focused on
potentially greater hazards such as environmental pollution. - Mod.CP]

***Disclaimer: ProMED-mail has no financial interest in the proprietary
diagnostic test mentioned.***


[Nor do I ... d.]