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Veterinary sciences2026; 13(4); 332; doi: 10.3390/vetsci13040332

Diagnosis and Surveillance of West Nile Virus Infection in Horses: Current Methods, Challenges, and Future Directions.

Abstract: West Nile virus (WNV) is a mosquito-borne flavivirus of growing importance for both human and equine health in Europe. Horses are highly susceptible to neurological disease and, because they share ecological exposure with humans, they represent valuable sentinels for detecting local viral circulation within a One Health framework. However, diagnosis of WNV infection in equines is complicated by the short and low-level viraemia, which limits the sensitivity of molecular assays, and by serological cross-reactivity with related flaviviruses and the confounding effects of vaccination. In this narrative review, we summarise the current diagnostic tools for WNV in horses, including direct detection methods (RT-qPCR, virus isolation, antigen detection) and indirect serological approaches (IgM and IgG ELISA, virus neutralisation tests), and discuss their practical performance and constraints in clinical and surveillance settings. We further examine equine surveillance systems, passive clinical reporting, active serosurveys and sentinel cohorts, and their integration with vector, avian and environmental monitoring. Key challenges include methodological heterogeneity, limited access to confirmatory testing and variable cross-sector data sharing. Finally, we outline future directions, highlighting the need for harmonised laboratory protocols, innovative field-deployable diagnostics, genomic surveillance and integrated, multi-source monitoring systems to strengthen early warning capacity and improve preparedness for WNV outbreaks in equine populations.
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Publication Date: 2026-03-30 PubMed ID: 42076705PubMed Central: PMC13120413DOI: 10.3390/vetsci13040332Google Scholar: Lookup
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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.

Overview

  • This research article reviews the current methods for diagnosing and monitoring West Nile virus (WNV) infection in horses.
  • It highlights challenges in existing diagnostic techniques and surveillance strategies, and discusses potential improvements for better detection and management of WNV in equine populations.

Introduction to West Nile Virus and Equine Health

  • West Nile virus is a mosquito-transmitted flavivirus affecting both humans and horses, with increasing importance in Europe.
  • Horses are highly susceptible to neurological disease caused by WNV, making them critical animals for monitoring local virus circulation.
  • Because horses and humans share environmental exposure to mosquitoes, equines serve as effective sentinels within a One Health approach, linking animal and human health surveillance.

Challenges in Diagnosing WNV in Horses

  • WNV infection is difficult to diagnose in horses due to short and low-level viraemia, which reduces the effectiveness of molecular diagnostic methods.
  • Serological testing is complicated by cross-reactivity with other related flaviviruses, which can produce false positives or ambiguous results.
  • Vaccination against WNV also interferes with serological tests, making it harder to differentiate between vaccinated and naturally infected horses.

Current Diagnostic Tools

  • Direct detection methods include:
    • RT-qPCR (Reverse Transcription quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction): detects viral RNA but limited by low viremia.
    • Virus isolation: more definitive but time-consuming and requires specialized labs.
    • Antigen detection tests, which identify viral proteins.
  • Indirect serological approaches include:
    • IgM and IgG ELISA tests: detect antibodies indicating recent or past infection but can cross-react with other flaviviruses.
    • Virus neutralization tests (VNT): considered the gold standard for confirmation due to high specificity but are technically demanding and less widely available.

Equine Surveillance Systems

  • Passive clinical reporting involves veterinarians and animal owners reporting suspected WNV cases, but underreporting can be significant.
  • Active serosurveys test populations of horses to detect antibodies and monitor virus circulation even without clinical disease.
  • Sentinel cohorts: selected groups of horses monitored regularly to identify new infections early.
  • Combination of equine surveillance with vector (mosquito), avian (bird), and environmental monitoring enhances the understanding of virus ecology and outbreak risks.

Key Challenges in Surveillance and Diagnosis

  • Heterogeneity in diagnostic methods and protocols across laboratories and regions reduces consistency of results.
  • Limited access to confirmatory testing (like virus neutralization) restricts accurate diagnosis and surveillance confirmation.
  • Variable sharing of data between sectors (animal health, public health, environmental monitoring) undermines integrated response efforts.

Future Directions and Recommendations

  • Development and adoption of harmonized laboratory protocols to standardize testing procedures and allow better comparison of data.
  • Creation of innovative, field-deployable diagnostic tools that can provide rapid and accurate detection near the point of care.
  • Expansion of genomic surveillance to monitor viral evolution and track outbreak sources.
  • Integration of multi-source data including equine, vector, avian, and environmental information into comprehensive monitoring systems.
  • Strengthening early warning capabilities and preparedness strategies for timely interventions during WNV outbreaks in horses.

Cite This Article

APA
(2026). Diagnosis and Surveillance of West Nile Virus Infection in Horses: Current Methods, Challenges, and Future Directions. Vet Sci, 13(4), 332. https://doi.org/10.3390/vetsci13040332

Publication

Veterinary sciences
ISSN: 2306-7381
NlmUniqueID: 101680127
Country: Switzerland
Language: English
Volume: 13
Issue: 4
PII: 332

Researcher Affiliations

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

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