Umatilla Virus in Zoo-Dwelling Cape Penguins with Hepatitis, Germany

Emerg Infect Dis. 2024 Dec;30(12):2643-2646. doi: 10.3201/eid3012.240498.

Abstract

Analysis of liver tissue from a Cape penguin that died with hepatitis at a zoo in Germany revealed Umatilla virus. Testing uncovered Umatilla virus RNA in samples from 2 other deceased Cape penguins at the zoo. Our results expand knowledge of the prevalence of this virus in bird species across Germany.

Keywords: Cape penguins; Germany; Umatilla virus; hepatitis; serology; systemic; viruses; wild birds; zoo; zoonoses.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Animals, Zoo* / virology
  • Bird Diseases* / epidemiology
  • Bird Diseases* / virology
  • Germany / epidemiology
  • Hepatitis, Viral, Animal / epidemiology
  • Hepatitis, Viral, Animal / virology
  • Phylogeny
  • Spheniscidae* / virology