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Journal of Wildlife Diseases, 45(3), 2009, pp. 817-822
© Wildlife Disease Association  2009
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SHORT COMMUNICATION

Prevalence of Antibodies to West Nile Virus and Other Arboviruses among Crested Caracaras (Caracara cheriway) in Florida

 Nicole M. Nemeth1,2,5, James F. Dwyer3, Joan L. Morrison3,4 and James D. Fraser3

1 Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, Colorado State University, 3801 W. Rampart Road, Fort Collins, Colorado 80523, USA
2 National Wildlife Research Center, USDA/APHIS/WS, 4101 Laporte Avenue, Fort Collins, Colorado 80521, USA
3 Department of Fisheries and Wildlife Sciences, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia 24061, USA
4 Department of Biology, Trinity College, 300 Summit Street, Hartford, Connecticut 06106, USA
5 Corresponding author (email: nnemeth{at}colostate.edu)

ABSTRACT:   We documented the antibody prevalence to three arboviruses, St. Louis encephalitis virus (SLEV), eastern equine encephalitis virus (EEEV), and West Nile virus (WNV), in Crested Caracaras (Caracara cheriway; n = 80) in Florida from 2007 to 2008. Antibody prevalence to WNV was higher (9%) than for the other viruses. Most seropositive birds were adults (≤3 yr of age), with 55% of adults testing positive for antibodies to at least one virus. Adults were significantly more likely to have antibodies to WNV than nonadults (P<0.001). Prevalence of SLEV and EEEV antibodies among Crested Caracaras was 3% for each virus, and three adult caracaras had indistinguishable anti-flavivirus antibodies. The susceptibility of Crested Caracaras to adverse effects of WNV, SLEV, or EEEV infection remains unknown; however, we observed that some free-ranging individuals survived infection and successfully fledged young. Knowledge of arboviral infection among Florida’s Crested Caracara, which is both state and federally threatened, is valuable considering increasing pressure on this population from rapid and extensive habitat alterations.
  Key words:  Antibody, Crested Caracara, Caracara cheriway, eastern equine encephalitis virus, seroprevalence, St. Louis encephalitis virus, West Nile virus.






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