As seen in this table, the studied strains reacted with IAF of poly-B,
IAF of standard hyperimmune serum against TBE, and also with homologous
antisera. Consequently, CF cross reactions showed that strains 54 and 59
belong to TBE complex viruses.

In addition to virological investigations, we also observed infestation of
birds with ticks and natural infection with viruses in parasites collected.
We recorded that 6 bird species are hosts of ixodid tick larvae and nymphs:
pheasant (Phasianus colchicus L.), blackbird (Turdus merula L.), tree pipit
(Anthus trivialis L.), whitethroat (Sylvia communis Lath.), Calandra lark
(Melanocorypha calandra L.), and yellow wagtail (Motacilla citreola Pall.).
The highest tick numbers were recorded on birds (2nd 10 days of May) of
Crimea. Ixodid ticks were absent on birds in winter.

Investigations of immature ticks for the presence of TBE virus gave
negative results. One virus strain of group B (not belonging to TBE) was
isolated from a pool of engorged larvae and nymphs collected from blackbirds.
This strain is still being studied.

SUMMARY (Original in English)

In the blood of birds caught and shot on the territory of Ukrainian
Prichernomorye, we detected complement-fixing antibodies to tick-borne
encephalitis (TBE) virus. The vectors of TBE virus were both resident
and migratory (rooks) birds.

LITERATURE

1. GAIDAMOVICH, S. Ya., L'VOVA, A. I., ABDUKHOVA, V. R., et al.

(1969). Vop. Virusol. (6):676. - 2. CLARKE, D. H. & CASALS, J. (1958).
Amer. Jour. Trop. Med. Hyg., (7, 5):56l.

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