West Nile virus lingers longer in birds exposed to light pollution

Exposure to artificial light can affect animal biology, interfering with immune system functioning, metabolism, and behavior.  According to a new study by researchers from the University of South Florida, light pollution could contribute to the spread of zoonotic diseases like West Nile virus by increasing the amount of time that small songbirds host the virus. The team’s research suggests that an outbreak could be 41% more likely to happen as a result of the persistence of the virus in this host.
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