Serological assessment of West Nile fever virus activity in the pastoral system of Ferlo, Senegal.
Abstract: The Ferlo area (north-central Senegal) is characterized by a system of temporary ponds favorable to arboviruses among which West Nile fever (WNF) was already identified. During the rainy season in 2003, a serological study was undertaken on horses to assess the activity of the WNF virus (WNFV) in Barkedji (Ferlo). The observed serological prevalence rate was 78.3% for neutralizing antibodies, with a 95% confidence interval (CI) of [64.0, 92.7]. This prevalence rate significantly increased with age (P = 10(-5)). This study confirmed that WNF was endemic in the Ferlo. The transmission risks depended on the introduction of the WNFV in the ecosystem--probably with migrating birds, on its amplification in hosts and on the vector-population dynamic. Further studies are needed to investigate how the cycle is initiated in Barkedji at the beginning of the rainy season and the impact of climatic variations on the risk of transmission of WNF. A surveillance system should be implemented: (a) to assess the clinical impact of the WNF on human and equine populations, (b) to provide an early detection of virulent strains, and (c) to assess the risk of WNF transmission to disease-free ecosystems via migrating birds.
Publication Date: 2006-12-01 PubMed ID: 17135514DOI: 10.1196/annals.1373.026Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
Summary
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The research study investigates the occurrence of West Nile fever virus among horses in the North-central region of Senegal. It reveals a high prevalence of neutralizing antibodies and indicates possible transmission risks factors, stressing the need for further studies and a surveillance system.
Research Context
- This research is based in Ferlo, an area in North-central Senegal characterised by temporary ponds that provide an environment conducive to arboviruses such as the West Nile Fever Virus (WNFV).
- Due to its distinct ecosystem, the area facilitates the study of WNFV transmission dynamics with the possibility of the virus being introduced into the ecosystem via migrating birds.
Research Methodology
- During the rainy season in 2003, the researchers carried out a serological study on the horses in the region.
- The evaluation focused on the presence of neutralizing antibodies towards the WNFV, one of the key indicators of virus activity.
- The survey data was statistically analyzed to see if there was a correlation between the virus activity and the age of the horses.
Research Findings
- The research found an alarmingly high serological prevalence rate of 78.3% for WNFV neutralizing antibodies. This rate increases significantly with the age of the horses, signalling an endemic presence of WNF in the region.
- The study highlights transmission risks which mainly involve the introduction of WNFV into the ecosystem, its amplification in host animals, and the dynamic population of vectors.
Recommendations and Further Research
- The study proposes further investigation into how the WNFV cycle is initiated at the beginning of the rainy season and how climate variations influence the risk of WNF transmission.
- The researchers recommend the implementation of a surveillance system for assessing the clinical impact of WNF on both human and equine populations.
- The system would provide for early detection of virulent virus strains and assess the risk of WNF transmission to disease-free ecosystems via migrating bird populations.
Cite This Article
APA
Chevalier V, Lancelot R, Diaité A, Mondet B, Sall B, De Lamballerie X.
(2006).
Serological assessment of West Nile fever virus activity in the pastoral system of Ferlo, Senegal.
Ann N Y Acad Sci, 1081, 216-225.
https://doi.org/10.1196/annals.1373.026 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Centre International de Recherche Agronomique pour le Développement, 34398 Montpellier Cedex 5, France. chevalier@cirad.fr
MeSH Terms
- Age Factors
- Animals
- Antibodies, Viral / blood
- Cluster Analysis
- Horse Diseases / epidemiology
- Horse Diseases / transmission
- Horses
- Humans
- Insect Vectors / virology
- Neutralization Tests / veterinary
- Seasons
- Senegal / epidemiology
- Sentinel Surveillance / veterinary
- Seroepidemiologic Studies
- West Nile Fever / epidemiology
- West Nile Fever / transmission
- West Nile Fever / veterinary
- West Nile virus / immunology
- Zoonoses
Citations
This article has been cited 13 times.- Ndione MHD, Ndiaye EH, Faye M, Diagne MM, Diallo D, Diallo A, Sall AA, Loucoubar C, Faye O, Diallo M, Faye O, Barry MA, Fall G. Re-Introduction of West Nile Virus Lineage 1 in Senegal from Europe and Subsequent Circulation in Human and Mosquito Populations between 2012 and 2021.. Viruses 2022 Dec 6;14(12).
- Mencattelli G, Ndione MHD, Rosà R, Marini G, Diagne CT, Diagne MM, Fall G, Faye O, Diallo M, Faye O, Savini G, Rizzoli A. Epidemiology of West Nile virus in Africa: An underestimated threat.. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2022 Jan;16(1):e0010075.
- Olufemi OT, Barba M, Daly JM. A Scoping Review of West Nile Virus Seroprevalence Studies among African Equids.. Pathogens 2021 Jul 15;10(7).
- Chauhan RP, Dessie ZG, Noreddin A, El Zowalaty ME. Systematic Review of Important Viral Diseases in Africa in Light of the 'One Health' Concept.. Pathogens 2020 Apr 20;9(4).
- Chevalier V, Marsot M, Molia S, Rasamoelina H, Rakotondravao R, Pedrono M, Lowenski S, Durand B, Lecollinet S, Beck C. Serological Evidence of West Nile and Usutu Viruses Circulation in Domestic and Wild Birds in Wetlands of Mali and Madagascar in 2008.. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2020 Mar 18;17(6).
- Ndiaye EH, Diallo D, Fall G, Ba Y, Faye O, Dia I, Diallo M. Arboviruses isolated from the Barkedji mosquito-based surveillance system, 2012-2013.. BMC Infect Dis 2018 Dec 12;18(1):642.
- Fall AG, Diaïté A, Seck MT, Bouyer J, Lefrançois T, Vachiéry N, Aprelon R, Faye O, Konaté L, Lancelot R. West Nile virus transmission in sentinel chickens and potential mosquito vectors, Senegal River Delta, 2008-2009.. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2013 Oct 1;10(10):4718-27.
- Hubálek Z, Ludvíková E, Jahn P, Treml F, Rudolf I, Svobodová P, Šikutová S, Betášová L, Bíreš J, Mojžíš M, Tinák M, Boldižár M, Citsoňová G, Staššíková Z. West Nile Virus equine serosurvey in the Czech and Slovak republics.. Vector Borne Zoonotic Dis 2013 Oct;13(10):733-8.
- Jentes ES, Robinson J, Johnson BW, Conde I, Sakouvougui Y, Iverson J, Beecher S, Bah MA, Diakite F, Coulibaly M, Bausch DG, Bryan J. Acute arboviral infections in Guinea, West Africa, 2006.. Am J Trop Med Hyg 2010 Aug;83(2):388-94.
- Calistri P, Giovannini A, Hubalek Z, Ionescu A, Monaco F, Savini G, Lelli R. Epidemiology of west nile in europe and in the mediterranean basin.. Open Virol J 2010 Apr 22;4:29-37.
- Randolph SE, Rogers DJ. The arrival, establishment and spread of exotic diseases: patterns and predictions.. Nat Rev Microbiol 2010 May;8(5):361-71.
- Durand B, Balança G, Baldet T, Chevalier V. A metapopulation model to simulate West Nile virus circulation in Western Africa, Southern Europe and the Mediterranean basin.. Vet Res 2010 May-Jun;41(3):32.
- Chevalier V, Lancelot R, Diaïte A, Mondet B, De Lamballerie X. Use of sentinel chickens to study the transmission dynamics of West Nile virus in a sahelian ecosystem.. Epidemiol Infect 2008 Apr;136(4):525-8.
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