Monitoring of the West Nile virus epidemic in Spain between 2010 and 2011.
Abstract: West Nile virus (WNV) is a mosquito-transmitted flavivirus recognized as an emerging and re-emerging pathogen in different countries. This study describes the monitoring of the first WNV epidemic in Spain between 2010 and 2011. Between September and December 2010, 36 outbreaks of WNV in horses were reported in three different provinces of Andalusia (southern Spain), with no apparent spread outside this area. The temporal distribution and the clinical signs observed during the WNV epidemic in Spain were, in general, similar to those reported in Europe and in the Mediterranean Basin. Morbidity, mortality and fatality rate in the affected herds were 4.6, 1.4 and 35.3%, respectively. Thirty-six of 75 (47.4%) suspected herds investigated presented at least one IgM seropositive animal. The individual seroprevalence in unvaccinated animals from the infected holdings was 51.7%. RNA WNV lineage 1 virus was confirmed from blood and cerebrospinal fluid samples in a lethally infected horse. The entomological survey showed that the most abundant mosquito species detected in the affected area was Culex pipiens. A cross-sectional study was carried out in non-suspected herds between April 2010 and February 2011 in the affected area. The individual seroprevalence was 11.0%, and six of the 38 herds sampled (15.8%) presented at least one seropositive animal. The results showed active WNV circulation several months before the first outbreak was reported in horses. The seropositivity found in municipalities where clinical cases were not reported indicates a higher geographical dissemination of the virus. Significantly higher seroprevalences were detected in areas close to Morocco. Furthermore, 90 wild ruminants were tested for the presence of antibodies against WNV, but the results were all negative.
© 2012 Blackwell Verlag GmbH.
Publication Date: 2011-12-30 PubMed ID: 22212118DOI: 10.1111/j.1865-1682.2011.01298.xGoogle Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
Summary
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The research focuses on the initial epidemic of the West Nile Virus (WNV) in Spain between 2010 and 2011. The study examines the distribution, mortality, morbidity and effects of this mosquito-transmitted virus among horse populations in different provinces of Andalusia, southern Spain.
Research Objective
- This research offers a detailed insight into the first recorded outbreak of the West Nile Virus in Spain between 2010 and 2011, focusing primarily on its impact on horses. The findings contribute to our understanding of the virus’s distribution and progression.
Observations and Findings
- The West Nile virus affected 36 horse populations in three different provinces of Andalusia, between September and December 2010. Morbidity, mortality, and fatality rates were 4.6%, 1.4% and 35.3% respectively among the affected herds.
- An active circulation of WNV was observed several months before the first outbreak with about 11.0% seroprevalence in non-suspected herds in the affected areas.
- Approximately 47.4% of investigated herds displayed at least one seropositive animal. The total seroprevalence in the unvaccinated animals from these infected herds was close to 51.7%.
- In a distinction of geographical dispersion, areas closer to Morocco registered significantly higher seroprevalences of the virus.
- The most abundant mosquito species, Culex pipiens, was detected in the affected area, although the study can’t definitively confirm the species as the carrier for the virus.
Results
- The findings show an emerging prevalence of WNV in Spain, primarily affecting horses. The distribution, symptoms, and progression of the virus were similar to previous outbreaks recorded in Europe and the Mediterranean Basin.
- Despite no reported incidences in wild ruminants, these results caution the potential for the spread of the virus, indicating the need for further epidemiological scrutiny and the development of effective vaccination programs.
Limitations and Further Research
- The study does not provide definitive evidence about the particular mosquito species responsible for transmitting the West Nile Virus in Spain. Further or follow-up research could explore this aspect. Also, understanding the reason behind the virus not spreading to wild ruminants could be an area of interest for future investigations.
Cite This Article
APA
García-Bocanegra I, Jaén-Téllez JA, Napp S, Arenas-Montes A, Fernández-Morente M, Fernández-Molera V, Arenas A.
(2011).
Monitoring of the West Nile virus epidemic in Spain between 2010 and 2011.
Transbound Emerg Dis, 59(5), 448-455.
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1865-1682.2011.01298.x Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Departamento de Sanidad Animal. Facultad de Veterinaria, UCO, Campus Universitarios de Rabanales, Córdoba, Spain. nacho.garcia@uco.es
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Antibodies, Viral
- Cross-Sectional Studies
- Culex
- Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay / veterinary
- Epidemics / veterinary
- Female
- Horse Diseases / epidemiology
- Horse Diseases / virology
- Horses
- Male
- Seasons
- Seroepidemiologic Studies
- Spain / epidemiology
- Time Factors
- Viral Plaque Assay
- Viral Vaccines / immunology
- West Nile Fever / epidemiology
- West Nile Fever / prevention & control
- West Nile Fever / veterinary
- West Nile Fever / virology
- West Nile virus / genetics
- West Nile virus / isolation & purification
Citations
This article has been cited 11 times.- Chevalier N, Migné CV, Mariteragi-Helle T, Dumarest M, De Mas M, Chevrier M, Queré E, Marcillaud-Pitel C, Lupo C, Bigeard C, Touzet T, Leblond A, Durand B, Depecker M, Gonzalez G. Seroprevalence of West Nile, Usutu and tick-borne encephalitis viruses in equids from south-western France in 2023. Vet Res 2025 Apr 24;56(1):91.
- Gonzálvez M, Asensio MDM, Muñoz-Hernández C, Ruiz de Ybáñez R. Knowledge and awareness on vector-borne diseases: a pending subject for the Spanish society?. An Sist Sanit Navar 2024 Aug 30;47(2).
- Ganzenberg S, Sieg M, Ziegler U, Pfeffer M, Vahlenkamp TW, Hörügel U, Groschup MH, Lohmann KL. Seroprevalence and Risk Factors for Equine West Nile Virus Infections in Eastern Germany, 2020. Viruses 2022 May 30;14(6).
- Mixão V, Bravo Barriga D, Parreira R, Novo MT, Sousa CA, Frontera E, Venter M, Braack L, Almeida AP. Comparative morphological and molecular analysis confirms the presence of the West Nile virus mosquito vector, Culex univittatus, in the Iberian Peninsula. Parasit Vectors 2016 Nov 25;9(1):601.
- García-Bocanegra I, Paniagua J, Gutiérrez-Guzmán AV, Lecollinet S, Boadella M, Arenas-Montes A, Cano-Terriza D, Lowenski S, Gortázar C, Höfle U. Spatio-temporal trends and risk factors affecting West Nile virus and related flavivirus exposure in Spanish wild ruminants. BMC Vet Res 2016 Nov 9;12(1):249.
- Cotar AI, Falcuta E, Prioteasa LF, Dinu S, Ceianu CS, Paz S. Transmission Dynamics of the West Nile Virus in Mosquito Vector Populations under the Influence of Weather Factors in the Danube Delta, Romania. Ecohealth 2016 Dec;13(4):796-807.
- Conte A, Candeloro L, Ippoliti C, Monaco F, De Massis F, Bruno R, Di Sabatino D, Danzetta ML, Benjelloun A, Belkadi B, El Harrak M, Declich S, Rizzo C, Hammami S, Ben Hassine T, Calistri P, Savini G. Spatio-Temporal Identification of Areas Suitable for West Nile Disease in the Mediterranean Basin and Central Europe. PLoS One 2015;10(12):e0146024.
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- Chevalier V, Tran A, Durand B. Predictive modeling of West Nile virus transmission risk in the Mediterranean Basin: how far from landing?. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2013 Dec 20;11(1):67-90.
- Engler O, Savini G, Papa A, Figuerola J, Groschup MH, Kampen H, Medlock J, Vaux A, Wilson AJ, Werner D, Jöst H, Goffredo M, Capelli G, Federici V, Tonolla M, Patocchi N, Flacio E, Portmann J, Rossi-Pedruzzi A, Mourelatos S, Ruiz S, Vázquez A, Calzolari M, Bonilauri P, Dottori M, Schaffner F, Mathis A, Johnson N. European surveillance for West Nile virus in mosquito populations. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2013 Oct 11;10(10):4869-95.
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