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Epidemiology and infection2016; 145(4); 667-677; doi: 10.1017/S0950268816002661

Characterizing areas of potential human exposure to eastern equine encephalitis virus using serological and clinical data from horses.

Abstract: Eastern equine encephalitis (EEE) is a rare but severe emerging vector-borne disease affecting human and animal populations in the northeastern United States where it is endemic. Key knowledge gaps remain about the epidemiology of EEE virus (EEEV) in areas where its emergence has more recently been reported. In Eastern Canada, viral activity has been recorded in mosquitoes and horses throughout the 2000s but cases of EEEV in humans have not been reported so far. This study was designed to provide an assessment of possible EEEV human exposure by modelling environmental risk factors for EEEV in horses, identifying high-risk environments and mapping risk in the province of Quebec, Canada. According to logistic models, being located near wooded swamps was a risk factor for seropositivity or disease in horses [odds ratio (OR) 4·15, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1·16-14·8) whereas being located on agricultural lands was identified as protective (OR 0·75, 95% CI 0·62-0·92). A better understanding of the environmental risk of exposure to EEEV in Canada provides veterinary and public health officials with enhanced means to more effectively monitor the emergence of this public health risk and design targeted surveillance and preventive measures.
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Publication Date: 2016-12-01 PubMed ID: 27903326PubMed Central: PMC9507718DOI: 10.1017/S0950268816002661Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article
  • Research Support
  • Non-U.S. Gov't

Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

The research paper focuses on mapping potential risks of human exposure to the eastern equine encephalitis (EEE) virus, using serological data and clinical records from horses in Quebec. The study identifies key environmental factors that increase or reduce the risk of exposure to this virus.

Overview of the Research

  • The study is aimed at filling gaps in our understanding of the epidemiology of the EEE virus (EEEV), a severe vector-borne disease affecting both humans and animals.
  • The geographical context for the study is Quebec, Canada where the virus has been detected in mosquitoes and horses but not in humans.
  • The researchers try to understand and model the environmental risk factors that contribute to the presence of the EEEV in horses, with a view to potentially identifying areas of high risk for human exposure.
  • The approach taken involves mapping these risks, so as to provide a tool for public health officials and veterinarians to monitor the emergence of this public health risk.

Key Findings

  • Based on logistic models used in the study, it was found that areas close to wooded swamps posed a higher risk for the existence of EEEV in horses, with an odds ratio of 4.15.
  • Conversely, locations on agricultural lands were identified as having a protective effect, reducing the risk of seropositivity or disease in horses with an odds ratio of 0.75.

Implications of the Research

  • This research enhances our understanding of the environmental risk factors that influence exposure to the EEEV.
  • It offers better means for public health and animal health officials to monitor the emergence of this virus and design targeted surveillance measures and preventive interventions.
  • Issues of potential human exposure and future human cases of EEE can also be anticipated and managed more effectively with the help of this study.

Cite This Article

APA
Rocheleau JP, Arsenault J, Ogden NH, Lindsay LR, Drebot M, Michel P. (2016). Characterizing areas of potential human exposure to eastern equine encephalitis virus using serological and clinical data from horses. Epidemiol Infect, 145(4), 667-677. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0950268816002661

Publication

Epidemiology and infection
ISSN: 1469-4409
NlmUniqueID: 8703737
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 145
Issue: 4
Pages: 667-677

Researcher Affiliations

Rocheleau, J-P
  • Groupe de recherche en épidémiologie des zoonoses et santé publique,Faculté de médecine vétérinaire,Université de Montréal,Saint-Hyacinthe,Québec,Canada.
Arsenault, J
  • Groupe de recherche en épidémiologie des zoonoses et santé publique,Faculté de médecine vétérinaire,Université de Montréal,Saint-Hyacinthe,Québec,Canada.
Ogden, N H
  • Public Health Risk Science Division,Public Health Agency of Canada,National Microbiology Laboratory at Saint-Hyacinthe,Québec,Canada.
Lindsay, L R
  • Public Health Agency of Canada,National Microbiology Laboratory,Zoonotic Diseases and Special Pathogens Division,Winnipeg,Manitoba,Canada.
Drebot, M
  • Public Health Agency of Canada,National Microbiology Laboratory,Zoonotic Diseases and Special Pathogens Division,Winnipeg,Manitoba,Canada.
Michel, P
  • Groupe de recherche en épidémiologie des zoonoses et santé publique,Faculté de médecine vétérinaire,Université de Montréal,Saint-Hyacinthe,Québec,Canada.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Antibodies, Viral / blood
  • Encephalitis Virus, Eastern Equine / immunology
  • Encephalomyelitis, Eastern Equine / epidemiology
  • Encephalomyelitis, Eastern Equine / veterinary
  • Environmental Exposure
  • Female
  • Horse Diseases / epidemiology
  • Horses
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Quebec / epidemiology
  • Risk Assessment

Conflict of Interest Statement

None.

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Citations

This article has been cited 3 times.
  1. Mermel LA. Association of Human Eastern Equine Encephalitis With Precipitation Levels in Massachusetts. JAMA Netw Open 2020 Jan 3;3(1):e1920261.
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  3. Williams EP, Xue Y, Yang D, Lee J, Kim E, Ponce-Flores A, Zalduondo L, Cao X, Chung D, Golden JE, Meibohm B, Fitzpatrick EA, Weaver SC, Jonsson CB. Broad spectrum antiviral BDGR-164 provides protection against lethal neurotropic alphavirus infection in mice. Antiviral Res 2025 Aug;240:106206.
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