Climate change’s impact on recording of West Nile fever of animals in the Middle Volga region

The work studied the diagnosis of West Nile fever in animals in the Middle Volga region. Brain samples from 200 individuals (100 birds and 100 mammals) were examined. The results of examination of biological samples from five bird species and eleven mammal species were analyzed in 2024. It was determined that among mammals, the largest number in the analysis was the bank vole (39%), yellow-necked house mouse (21%), striped field mouse (9%). It was found that among birds, the mallard (85%) predominated. It was found that the results of all samples were negative. The basis for the study was that earlier in 2023 and 2024 for Mordovia, the West Nile virus was diagnosed for the first time by blood tests in patients with symptoms of WNF in the Republic of Mordovia. It was suggested that this may be related to global warming. It was found that the average annual temperature in Mordovia for the period from 2006 to 2023 fluctuated within the range of 4.2–6.3 ºC (an average of 5.5 ºC). Warm winters and long warm autumns have been observed in recent years. A list of animal species (29 bird species and 18 mammal species) has been compiled for which priority tests are required, since WNF markers have been detected in them in different regions of Russia.