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Home / Equine Research Bank / Vet World / Seroprevalence and risk factors of West Nile virus infection...
Veterinary world2021; 14(5); 1241-1246; doi: 10.14202/vetworld.2021.1241-1246

Seroprevalence and risk factors of West Nile virus infection in veterinarians and horses in Northern Palestine.

Abstract: West Nile fever (WNF) is a neurotropic, mosquito-borne disease affecting humans and domesticated animals, caused by a member of the genus . Over the last decades, this virus has been responsible for several cases of illness in humans and animals. The current epidemiological status of WNF in horses is insufficient, and in veterinarians, as an occupational hazard is unknown. This study aimed to investigate and determine the seroprevalence and risk factors for WNF in veterinarians and horses in Palestine. Methods: In this study, serum samples from 100 veterinarians and 87 horses were collected between August 2020 and September 2020 from different cities of Northern Palestine. West Nile virus (WNV) antibodies were detected using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results: Our results showed that 60.9% of the horse serum samples were positive in all investigated cities. In horses, location is a risk factor for the seropositivity for WNF, whereas age, sex, breed, and intended use of the horses, were not associated with increased WNF seropositivity. In veterinarians, 23.0% of the serum samples were positive. Positive samples were detected in all locations, age groups, experience length, and work sectors. However, the seropositivity for WNF was not influenced by these variables. Conclusions: The results revealed that WNV circulates in most regions of Palestine. Our results will help determine the risk of infection in animals and humans and control WNV transmission. Surveillance studies on humans, vectors, and animals are needed to better define endemic areas.
Copyright: © Alzuheir, et al.
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Publication Date: 2021-05-21 PubMed ID: 34220126PubMed Central: PMC8243691DOI: 10.14202/vetworld.2021.1241-1246Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article

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 studying the presence and risk factors of West Nile fever, a mosquito-borne disease, in veterinarians and horses in Northern Palestine.

Goal of the Research

  • The main aim of this research is to determine the prevalence (presence of the disease within a population) and risk factors of West Nile fever in veterinarians and horses in Northern Palestine.
  • This is particularly important because the disease status in horses is inadequately understood, and the risk for veterinarians, who come into close contact with potential carriers like horses, is not known.

Methodology

  • For this study, the researchers collected serum samples from 100 veterinarians and 87 horses between August and September 2020.
  • These samples were collected from different cities throughout Northern Palestine.
  • The presence of West Nile virus (WNV) antibodies in these serum samples was determined using a common laboratory technique known as an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

Results

  • The study found that almost 61% of the horse serum samples across the investigated cities tested positive for WNV antibodies, suggesting a high level of exposure to the virus.
  • The study found that location was a risk factor for horses, but other factors like age, sex, breed, and intended use were not associated with increased prevalence of the virus.
  • The study also found that 23% of the veterinarian serum samples were positive for WNV antibodies.
  • However, unlike in horses, location along with age, work experience, and sectors did not significantly influence whether veterinarians tested positive for WNV antibodies.

Conclusions and Recommendations

  • The results of the study indicate that West Nile virus is widespread in many regions in Northern Palestine, affecting both veterinarians and horses.
  • This information is crucial in understanding the risk of infection for both animals and humans, and can be used to devise methods to control the spread of the virus.
  • The authors conclude by recommending further research and surveillance of humans, vectors (such as mosquitoes), and animals to accurately define the areas where the virus is endemic.

Cite This Article

APA
Alzuheir I, Fayyad A, Jalboush N, Abdallah R, Abutarbush S, Gharaibeh M, Bdarneh M, Khraim N, Helal MA, Helal BA. (2021). Seroprevalence and risk factors of West Nile virus infection in veterinarians and horses in Northern Palestine. Vet World, 14(5), 1241-1246. https://doi.org/10.14202/vetworld.2021.1241-1246

Publication

Veterinary world
ISSN: 0972-8988
NlmUniqueID: 101504872
Country: India
Language: English
Volume: 14
Issue: 5
Pages: 1241-1246

Researcher Affiliations

Alzuheir, Ibrahim
  • Department of Veterinary Medicine, An-Najah National University, P.O. Box 7 Nablus, Palestine.
Fayyad, Adnan
  • Department of Veterinary Medicine, An-Najah National University, P.O. Box 7 Nablus, Palestine.
Jalboush, Nasr
  • Department of Veterinary Medicine, An-Najah National University, P.O. Box 7 Nablus, Palestine.
Abdallah, Rosemary
  • Palestinian Livestock Development Center, Tubas-Palestine.
Abutarbush, Sameeh
  • Department of Clinical Veterinary Medical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Jordan University of Science and Technology, P.O. Box 3030 Irbid, 22110 Jordan.
Gharaibeh, Mohammad
  • Department of Basic Veterinary Medical Science, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Jordan University of Science and Technology, P. O. Box 3030 Irbid, 22110, Jordan.
Bdarneh, Majd
  • Department of Clinical Veterinary Medical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Jordan University of Science and Technology, P.O. Box 3030 Irbid, 22110 Jordan.
Khraim, Nimer
  • Department of Veterinary Medicine, An-Najah National University, P.O. Box 7 Nablus, Palestine.
Helal, Mohammad Abu
  • Department of Public Health Sciences, Faculty of Graduate Studies, An-Najah National University, P.O. Box 7 Nablus, Palestine.
Helal, Belal Abu
  • Department of Veterinary Medicine, An-Najah National University, P.O. Box 7 Nablus, Palestine.

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Citations

This article has been cited 1 times.
  1. Alzuheir I, Helal BA, Helal MA, Fayyad A, Jalboush N. No evidence of Rift Valley fever antibodies in veterinarians and sheep in Northern Palestine.. Vet World 2022 Aug;15(8):1990-1995.
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