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Home / Equine Research Bank / J Arthropod Borne Dis / Impact of Climate and Environmental Factors on West Nile Vir...
Journal of arthropod-borne diseases2016; 10(3); 315-327;

Impact of Climate and Environmental Factors on West Nile Virus Circulation in Iran.

Abstract: Geographic distribution of West Nile virus (WNV) is heterogeneous in Iran by a high circulation in the southern-western areas. The objective of our study was to determine environmental and climatic factors associated with the risk of WNV equine seropositivity in Iran. Methods: Serological data were obtained from a serosurvey conducted in equine population in 260 districts in Iran. The climate and environmental parameters included in the models were distance to the nearest wetland area, type of stable, Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), annual mean temperature, humidity and precipitation. Results: The important risk factors included annual mean temperature, distance to wetlands, local and seasonal NDVI differences. The effect of local NDVI differences in spring was particularly notable. This was a normalized difference of average NDVI between two areas: a 5 km radius area centered on the stable and the 5-10 km surrounding area. Conclusions: The model indicated that local NDVI's contrast during spring is a major risk factor of the transmission of West-Nile virus in Iran. This so-called oasis effect consistent with the seasonal production of vegetation in spring, and is associated to the attractiveness of the local NDVI environment for WNV vectors and hosts.
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Publication Date: 2016-01-06 PubMed ID: 27308290PubMed Central: PMC4906738
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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.

This research focuses on the potential influences of climate and environmental factors on the spread of West Nile virus (WNV) in Iran. The study aims to understand these influences by analyzing serological data from horses across 260 local districts and exploring the role of several variables, from proximity to wetland areas to annual temperature averages.

Methodology

  • The researchers collected serological data from an equine serosurvey conducted across 260 districts in Iran. These serological data allowed the researchers to measure the prevalence of WNV antibodies, thereby indicating WNV exposure in the equine population across the country.
  • The climate and environmental parameters considered in the models included distance to the closest wetland, the type of stable, the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) which is a measure of the greenness of vegetation, annual mean temperature, and annual levels of humidity and precipitation.

Results

  • Key risk factors identified through this study included average annual temperature, proximity to wetland areas and local, as well as seasonal fluctuations in NDVI.
  • It was noted that the local springtime NDVI difference was particularly significant. This referred to a normalized difference of average NDVI between two areas: a 5 km radius area centered on the stable, and the 5-10 km surrounding area.

Conclusions

  • The study concludes that the contrast between local NDVIs during spring is a major risk factor in the spread of West Nile virus in Iran.
  • This so-called ‘oasis effect’ is consistent with the seasonal vegetation growth observed in spring, which is associated with the appeal of the local NDVI environment for both vectors and hosts of West Nile virus. This factor could be used to create more effective disease intervention strategies.

Cite This Article

APA
Ahmadnejad F, Otarod V, Fathnia A, Ahmadabadi A, Fallah MH, Zavareh A, Miandehi N, Durand B, Sabatier P. (2016). Impact of Climate and Environmental Factors on West Nile Virus Circulation in Iran. J Arthropod Borne Dis, 10(3), 315-327.

Publication

Journal of arthropod-borne diseases
ISSN: 2322-1984
NlmUniqueID: 101593448
Country: Iran
Language: English
Volume: 10
Issue: 3
Pages: 315-327

Researcher Affiliations

Ahmadnejad, Farzaneh
  • Viral Vaccines Production Department, Pasteur Institute, Tehran, Iran; TIMC-IMAG Team EPSP, VetAgroSup, Campus Vétérinaire de Lyon, France.
Otarod, Vahid
  • Quarantine and Biosafety Directorate General, Iran Veterinary Organization, Tehran, Iran.
Fathnia, Amanollah
  • Department of Geography, Razi University, Kermanshah, Iran.
Ahmadabadi, Ali
  • Faculty of Geography, Kharazmi University, Tehran, Iran.
Fallah, Mohammad H
  • Department of Poultry Viral Diseases, Razi Vaccine and Serum Research Institute, Alborz, Iran.
Zavareh, Alireza
  • Viral Vaccines Production Department, Pasteur Institute, Tehran, Iran.
Miandehi, Nargess
  • Viral Vaccines Production Department, Pasteur Institute, Tehran, Iran.
Durand, Benoit
  • University Paris Est, Anses, Laboratory of Animal Health, Epidemiology Unit, Maisons-Alfort, France.
Sabatier, Philippe
  • TIMC-IMAG Team EPSP, VetAgroSup, Campus Vétérinaire de Lyon, France.

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Citations

This article has been cited 9 times.
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