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PloS one2014; 9(11); e113149; doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0113149

Spatial and temporal distribution of West Nile virus in horses in Israel (1997-2013)–from endemic to epidemics.

Abstract: With the rapid global spread of West Nile virus (WNV) and the endemic state it has acquired in new geographical areas, we hereby bring a thorough serological investigation of WNV in horses in a longstanding endemic region, such as Israel. This study evaluates the environmental and demographic risk factors for WNV infection in horses and suggests possible factors associated with the transition from endemic to epidemic state. West Nile virus seroprevalence in horses in Israel was determined throughout a period of more than a decade, before (1997) and after (2002 and 2013) the massive West Nile fever outbreak in humans and horses in 2000. An increase in seroprevalence was observed, from 39% (113/290) in 1997 to 66.1% (547/827) in 2002 and 85.5% (153/179) in 2013, with persistent significantly higher seroprevalence in horses situated along the Great Rift Valley (GRV) area, the major birds' migration route in Israel. Demographic risk factors included age and breed of the horse. Significantly lower spring precipitation was observed during years with increased human incidence rate that occurred between 1997-2007. Hence, we suggest referring to Israel as two WNV distinct epidemiological regions; an endemic region along the birds' migration route (GRV) and the rest of the country which perhaps suffers from cyclic epidemics. In addition, weather conditions, such as periods of spring drought, might be associated with the transition from endemic state to epidemic state of WNV.
Publication Date: 2014-11-17 PubMed ID: 25402217PubMed Central: PMC4234662DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0113149Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article

Summary

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The research article explores the geographical and temporal spread of the West Nile virus (WNV) in horses in Israel over a period of 16 years (1997 – 2013), detailing the transition from the disease being endemic to reaching epidemic levels.

Study Objectives and Method

  • The study aims to present a detailed serological report of the West Nile virus detected in horses in Israel, where the virus has been endemic for an extended time.
  • The researchers assessed environmental and demographic risk factors for WNV infection in horses and suggested factors that could be linked to the virus’s transition from endemic to epidemic status.
  • Seroprevalence of the West Nile virus in horses in Israel was tracked over more than a decade, before (1997) and after (2002 and 2013) an extensive West Nile fever outbreak in humans and horses that occurred in 2000.

Findings and Implications

  • There was a noted increase in seroprevalence from 39% in 1997 to 85.5% in 2013.
  • The higher prevalence was consistently found in horses located along the Great Rift Valley (GRV), which aligns with the major bird migration route in Israel. This part of the country is described as an endemic region for WNV.
  • Risk factors associated with WNV infection included the age and breed of the horse, suggesting that certain horse breeds and mature horses might be more susceptible to the virus.
  • Regarding the correlation with environmental factors, significantly lower spring precipitation was noted in years with increased human incidence rate, which occurred between 1997 and 2007. This suggests that drier spring weather could be associated with virus spreading, possibly facilitating the transition from endemic to epidemic spread.
  • The research proposes that Israel could be considered as twofold in terms of WNV epidemiology, with an endemic region along the bird migration route and the rest of the country experiencing cyclic epidemics.

Concluding Remarks

  • This study provides insights into the factors influencing the spread of WNV from a localized, endemic spread to a widespread epidemic.
  • It emphasizes the potential role of factors like demographic characteristics, geography, climate conditions, and bird migration routes in disease spread.
  • The findings could inform public health strategies, predicting and potentially mitigating WNV outbreaks in horses and possibly in humans as well.

Cite This Article

APA
Aharonson-Raz K, Lichter-Peled A, Tal S, Gelman B, Cohen D, Klement E, Steinman A. (2014). Spatial and temporal distribution of West Nile virus in horses in Israel (1997-2013)–from endemic to epidemics. PLoS One, 9(11), e113149. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0113149

Publication

ISSN: 1932-6203
NlmUniqueID: 101285081
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 9
Issue: 11
Pages: e113149
PII: e113149

Researcher Affiliations

Aharonson-Raz, Karin
  • Koret School of Veterinary Medicine, The Robert H. Smith Faculty of Agriculture, Food and Environment, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot, 76100, Israel.
Lichter-Peled, Anat
  • Koret School of Veterinary Medicine, The Robert H. Smith Faculty of Agriculture, Food and Environment, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot, 76100, Israel.
Tal, Shlomit
  • School of Public Health, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, 39040, Israel.
Gelman, Boris
  • Kimron Veterinary Institute, Bet-Dagan, 50250, Israel.
Cohen, Daniel
  • School of Public Health, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, 39040, Israel.
Klement, Eyal
  • Koret School of Veterinary Medicine, The Robert H. Smith Faculty of Agriculture, Food and Environment, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot, 76100, Israel.
Steinman, Amir
  • Koret School of Veterinary Medicine, The Robert H. Smith Faculty of Agriculture, Food and Environment, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot, 76100, Israel.

MeSH Terms

  • Age Factors
  • Animals
  • Antibodies, Viral / blood
  • Environment
  • Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay / veterinary
  • Epidemics / veterinary
  • Female
  • Horse Diseases / epidemiology
  • Horse Diseases / virology
  • Horses
  • Humans
  • Israel / epidemiology
  • Male
  • Risk Factors
  • Seasons
  • Seroepidemiologic Studies
  • West Nile Fever / epidemiology
  • West Nile Fever / pathology
  • West Nile Fever / veterinary
  • West Nile virus / immunology

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

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