26.09.2011

Spanish researchers report an outbreak of disease in wild birds (partridges and pheasants) caused by a flavivirus, Bagaza virus (BAGV).
This virus was first isolated in Bagaza, Central African Republic, in 1966, from a pool of mixed-species female Culex spp. mosquitoes.
BAGV has been shown to be synonymous with Israel turkey meningoencephalomyelitis virus (ITMEv), a pathogen affecting poultry (turkeys) and reported only in Israel and South Africa.
In September, 2010, an unusually high number of red-legged partridges (Alectoris rufa) died on several hunting properties in southwestern Cádiz, the southernmost province in Andalusia, Spain. Clinical signs included weakness, prostration, lack of motor coordination, weight loss, and white diarrhea. Some common pheasants (Phasianus colchicus) were also affected.
The phylogenetic tree (based on the E region) grouped Israel turkey meningoencephalomyelitis virus and BAGV within the same cluster and showed that both viruses are closely related to Ntaya virus. The Bagaza virus is similar to Israel turkey meningoencephalomyelitis virus, a relevant pathogen for turkeys (Emerging Infectious Diseases, 2011. 17:1498-1501).