Alkhurma hemorrhagic fever virus RNA was detected in immature Hyalomma rufipes ticks infesting northward migratory birds caught in the North Mediterranean Basin. This finding suggests a role for birds in the ecology of the Alkhurma hemorrhagic fever virus and a potential mechanism for dissemination to novel regions. Increased surveillance is warranted.
Keywords: Acrocephalus schoenobaenus; Alkhurma hemorrhagic fever; Alkhurma hemorrhagic fever virus; Asia Minor; Europe; Greece; Hyalomma marginatum sensu lato; Hyalomma rufipes; Kyasanur Forest disease virus; Lanius senator niloticus; Motacilla flava; Phoenicurus phoenicurus; Turkey; birds; common redstart; eastern woodchat shrike; flavivirus; passerine birds; sedge warbler; ticks; vector-borne infections; viral hemorrhagic fevers; viruses; west Asia; western yellow wagtail.