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Romo, G.

Publications and source records attributed to Romo, G..

2 recordsLinked to original sources
bioRxiv2025

Detection of antibodies specific to H5 avian influenza virus in a sheep in Norway, June 2024, eleven months after an outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza in a nearby seabird colony

A 2023 outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza in seabirds in Norway caused substantial environmental contamination of grazing areas frequented by local sheep. Eleven months later, 220 sheep were tested for antibodies to type A influenza and H5 subtype using ELISA, haemagglutination inhibition, and microneutralisation assays. One ewe (0.5%) tested positive by all methods, consistent with prior spillover infection. This underscores the importance of restricting livestock access to outbreak areas to mitigate cross-species transmission and zoonotic risk.

microbiology↗
bioRxiv2025

Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza A(H5N1) Caused Mass Death among Black-legged Kittiwakes (Rissa tridactyla) in Norway, 2023

In 2023, highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) heavily affected gulls in Europe. In July, a mass mortality event was reported in the Black-legged Kittiwake (Rissa tridactyla) breeding colony at Ekkeroy in Northern Norway. The cause was confirmed to be infection with the HPAI H5N1 clade 2.3.4.4b virus, genotype EA-2022-BB. We describe the outbreak in Kittiwakes, including pathological and virological investigations, and discuss the management and zoonotic potential. With more than 15,000 dead birds reported, we estimate that the outbreak caused a reduction in the Kittiwake population at Ekkeroy of at least 50%. Diseased birds exhibited neurological signs. Necropsy of ten birds revealed a peracute fatal systemic disease, with severe lesions in the brain and pancreas co-localizing with the presence of viral RNA and antigen. Vascular expression of 2,3-linked sialic acids and viral RNA/antigen may reflect hematogenous virus spread. Further studies should investigate the long-term impact of HPAI on Kittiwake populations.

microbiology↗