Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
First detection of West Nile virus in Belgium through wild bird surveillance, Belgium, 2025.
- Journal:
- Euro surveillance : bulletin Europeen sur les maladies transmissibles = European communicable disease bulletin
- Year:
- 2026
- Authors:
- Sohier, Charlotte et al.
- Affiliation:
- Belgian Health Institute
- Species:
- bird
Abstract
In August 2025, West Nile virus (WNV) was detected for the first time in Belgium through a monitoring programme in wild birds, with three corvids testing positive by RT-qPCR. In September and October, four additional infected birds were identified. Whole genome sequencing classified the strain as WNV lineage 2, consistent with strains circulating elsewhere in Europe. These detections provide evidence of local WNV circulation with important implications for animal and public health preparedness and surveillance during the 2026 mosquito season.
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Search related cases →Original publication: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41612927/