Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41530390›Full record

ArticleScientific reports2026

First detection of Usutu virus in wild birds in Denmark, 2024.

Laura Vebæk Gelskov, Camille Melissa Johnston, Anne Sofie Vedsted Hammer, Tim Kåre Jensen, Louise Lohse, Graham J Belsham, Thomas Bruun Rasmussen, Ann Sofie Olesen

Abstract read
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In one paragraph

Article in Scientific reports, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

8 authors.

Laura Vebæk GelskovDepartment of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Frederiksberg, Denmark.
Camille Melissa JohnstonDepartment of Virology and Microbiological Preparedness, Statens Serum Institut, Copenhagen S, Denmark.
Anne Sofie Vedsted HammerDepartment of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Frederiksberg, Denmark.
Tim Kåre JensenDepartment of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Frederiksberg, Denmark.
Louise LohseDepartment of Virology and Microbiological Preparedness, Statens Serum Institut, Copenhagen S, Denmark.
Graham J BelshamDepartment of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Frederiksberg, Denmark.
Thomas Bruun RasmussenDepartment of Virology and Microbiological Preparedness, Statens Serum Institut, Copenhagen S, Denmark.
Ann Sofie OlesenDepartment of Virology and Microbiological Preparedness, Statens Serum Institut, Copenhagen S, Denmark. asjo@ssi.dk.

Funding

DURABLE EU4Health Programme, EU 101102733
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

In 2024, the first known infections by Usutu virus (USUV) in Denmark were detected in wild birds, primarily affecting the common blackbird (Turdus merula). USUV is a mosquito-borne virus that has been circulating in Europe for the last three decades. A total of 149 dead birds, including 85 blackbirds, were investigated for the presence of USUV. Using an USUV-specific RT-qPCR assay, viral RNA was detected in brain tissue from 56 of the 85 blackbirds. In addition, two great spotted woodpeckers (Dendrocopos major) and one red kite (Milvus milvus) were found positive, however with lower levels of viral RNA. Pathological examinations performed on the affected blackbirds were largely consistent with those observed during previous outbreaks of USUV in European blackbirds. Cloacal and tracheal swabs from USUV - positive blackbirds were also tested for USUV RNA and results corresponded qualitatively with those found in brain tissue. Additionally, liver and kidney samples from infected blackbirds revealed comparable levels of viral RNA to their corresponding brain tissue samples. Sequencing and phylogenetic analysis revealed that three distinct lineages (Europe 2, Europe 3 and Africa 3) were present in Denmark in 2024. These findings emphasize the importance of surveillance of emerging vector-borne viruses in Europe.

Indexed as

Animals, WildBird DiseasesBirdsFlavivirusFlavivirus InfectionsAnimalsBrainDenmarkPhylogenyRNA, ViralRNA, ViralCommon blackbird (Turdus merula)Emerging infectious diseaseFlaviviridaeUsutu virusVector-borne infectionsZoonosis

Identifiers

PMID41530390
PMCPMC12881439

What OpenQuestion holds

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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.