LOUPING-ILL VIRUS SEROSURVEY OF WILLOW PTARMIGAN (LAGOPUS LAGOPUS LAGOPUS) IN NORWAY

In Norway, the Willow Ptarmigan (Lagopus lagopus lagopus) is experiencing population declines and nationally Red Listed as Near Threatened. Although disease has not generally been regarded an important factor behind fluctuations for in occurrence poorly investigated. Both louping-ill virus (LIV) closely related tick-borne encephalitis are found along southern part of Norwegian coast. We assessed whether where populations have infected with LIV. expected to find individuals southernmost country. did expect further north at higher altitudes because absence main vector, sheep tick (Ixodes ricinus). collected serum samples on Nobuto filter paper used a hemagglutination inhibition assay antibodies against data both local country-wide levels. For sampling, we analyzed 87 hunter-collected from one Norway. Of these birds, only three positives (3.4%) were found. 163 carcasses submitted selected locations all over 32% (53) seropositive LIV or cross-reacting virus. Surprisingly, across whole country, including outside known distribution tick. These results suggest that either infects ptarmigan large parts high latitudes.