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A review of arbovirus disease USUTU: an emerging zoonotic threat
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Ismaeil Alizadeh1    , Mohammad Mehdi Sedaghat2 |
1- Department of Vector Biology and Control of Diseases, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran
2- Department of Vector Biology and Control of Diseases, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran , sedaghmm@tums.ac.ir |
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Abstract: (14 Views) |
Background and Aim: Usutu virus disease (USUTU) is an arthropod-borne viral disease and a zoonosis of growing concern due to its emergence in Africa and Europe, along with its rapid geographical expansion. This study aimed to compile and analyze global data on USUTU to provide a comprehensive overview of its current status.
Materials and Methods: A review was conducted using reputable scientific databases, including PubMed, ScienceDirect, Scopus, and Google Scholar. Keywords including "USUTU," "USUV," and "Usutu virus" were employed to identify relevant articles published between 2000 and 2025.
Results: First identified in Africa in 1959, Usutu virus has since spread to several European countries. The causative agent belongs to the Flaviviridae family and is classified under the Orthoflavivirus genus. Main hosts include the Eurasian blackbird (Turdus merula) and the great grey owl (Strix nebulosa). Primary vectors are Culex neavei in Africa and Culex pipiens in Europe. With rising prevalence, human transmission has become a concern. Clinical manifestations range from mild febrile illness to severe neurological disorders such as encephalitis and meningoencephalitis.
Conclusion: Usutu virus poses a potential future threat to public health due to its arthropod-mediated transmission among birds, humans, and other vertebrates, the absence of an effective and widely accessible vaccine, and the influence of climate change on its spread.
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| Keywords: USUTU, USUV, arbovirus, flavivirus, zoonosis |
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Type of Study: Review |
Subject:
Microbiology
Received: 2025/07/22 | Accepted: 2026/07/8
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