First TBEV serological screening in Flemish wild boar.

In the frame of a Flemish wildlife surveillance in 2013, a serological screening was performed on sera from wild boar ( Sus scrofa ; n =238) in order to detect tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV)-specific antibodies. Neutralising antibodies were titrated with a seroneutralisation test (SNT), using two cut-off titres (1/10–1/15). Seven wild boars were found TBEV-seropositive and showed moderate (>1/15) to high (>1/125) SNT-titres; three individuals had borderline results (1/10–1/15). This study demonstrated the presence of TBEV-specific antibodies in wild boar and highlighted potential TBEV-foci in Flanders. Additional surveillance including direct virus testing is now recommended. Keywords: tick-borne encephalitis (virus) TBE(V); wild boar; sentinel surveillance; seroneutralisation test SNT; endemic focus (Published: 15 April 2016) Citation: Infection Ecology and Epidemiology 2016, 6: 31099 - http://dx.doi.org/10.3402/iee.v6.31099