Urban land cover drives fine-scale heterogeneity and extensive local amplification of West Nile virus

Corinna Patzina-Mehling, Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin

16:10 - 16:30 Wednesday 02 September Afternoon

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Abstract

Climate change can intensify mosquito-borne disease risks through rising temperatures and more frequent extreme weather events. To mitigate climate change, cities are implementing nature-based solutions like rainwater management. West Nile virus (WNV), an emerging human pathogen in Europe, is primarily transmitted between birds and mosquitoes. Key aspects of its amplification, particularly in urban habitats and in the context of climate adaptation strategies, remain insufficiently understood. To examine how urban land cover influences WNV amplification, mosquitoes were systematically collected in 2023 and 2024 in Berlin, Germany, at five urban microhabitats: a sponge city site (S), a residential courtyard (RB), a park-like residential area (RA), a park-like cemetery (C) and a natural conservation area (N). Mosquitoes were morphologically identified and tested for WNV infection by qPCR. Viral genomes were sequenced, and blood-fed specimens were analysed for vertebrate host DNA. 13,627 and 10,463 mosquitoes were collected in 2023 and 2024, respectively. The highest mosquito abundance was observed at N, followed by C and RA. We identified fine-scale heterogeneity in WNV infection risk. In 2023, the highest minimum infection rates (MIRs) were observed at C (20.77) and RA (14.60). In contrast, MIRs at N remained low (up to 4.03). In 2024, similar infection patterns were again detected, likely shaped by habitat characteristics and avian host community structure. Urban land cover, habitat characteristics and avian host community composition critically shape WNV infection risk at fine spatial scales. Integrating biodiversity restoration into nature-based solutions may support sustainable, climate-resilient urban planning while reducing vector-borne disease risk.

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