A survey of antibody to 10 arboviruses (Koongol group, Mapputta group and ungrouped) isolated in Queensland

HI responses were found to low titre to Koongol and Wongal viruses in sera from cattle, wallabies, wild birds, bandicoots and domestic fowls, but could rarely be confirmed by neutralization test and are considered of uncertain significance. Neutralization tests indicated infection of wallabies, kangaroos and large domestic animals by Mapputta, Trubanaman and Kowanyama viruses over a wide area, and of wallabies and kangaroos less frequently by Eubenangee virus. Corriparta virus was neutralized by sera from man, cattle, wild and domestic birds, wallabies, kangaroos and horses. MRM4059 (isolated from reptiles), C5502 and Upolu (isolated from Ornithodorus ticks) were not neutralized by sera from any birds or mammals tested, but MRM4059 virus was neutralized by some blood samples from the skink Ablepharus boutonii virgatus. Human sera, especially from Aborigines on settlements near the Gulf of Carpentaria, neutralized Corriparta, Trubanaman and Kowanyama viruses. Various limitations in the available serological techniques are discussed, and further studies are suggested to detect any disease associated with infections demonstrated in man or domestic animals.