Holicki et al.
Tracking WNV transmission with a combined dog and wild boar surveillance system. Sci Rep. 2025;15:11083. doi:10.1038/s41598-025-89561-5
Along with TBE virus, West Nile fever virus (WNV)and Usutu virus (USUV) are circulating in Germany A seroprevalence study was conducted in eastern Germany to assess the presence of antibodies against these three flaviviruses in wild boars, dogs, and small ruminants (sheep and goats), focusing on both urban and rural regions.
To facilitate accurate differentiation between these closely related viruses, a reliable and cost-effective NS1-ELISA with high sensitivity and specificity was developed and implemented.
The study found a flavivirus seroprevalence rate of 42.03% in wild boars. Among the three viruses, WNV antibodies were most frequently detected in both wild boars (17.6%) and dogs (3.9%), while the seroprevalence of USUV and in small ruminants was notably lower.
In terms of regional TBE seroprevalence in dogs, the highest rates were observed in Saxony (7.24%), followed by Thuringia (3.28%) and Saxony-Anhalt (1.66%). Similarly, TBE seropositivity in wild boars was elevated in several regions, reaching up to 25% in northern Saxony. Notably, Saxony has also seen a rising number of human TBE cases in recent years.
Importantly, TBE antibodies were detected in wild boars from several districts not currently designated as official TBE risk areas based on human case data. These districts include Börde, Harz, Jerichower Land, Saalekreis, and Wittenberg in northern Saxony.
The findings of this study highlight the value of wild boars and dogs as effective sentinel species for monitoring the circulation of flaviviruses. Detecting TBE antibodies in animal populations may support earlier identification of emerging risk areas and help raise public awareness of TBE virus infections in humans—particularly in regions not yet classified as endemic.