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Home / Equine Research Bank / Parasit Vectors / Spatio-temporal patterns of distribution of West Nile virus ...
Parasites & vectors2011; 4; 230; doi: 10.1186/1756-3305-4-230

Spatio-temporal patterns of distribution of West Nile virus vectors in eastern Piedmont Region, Italy.

Abstract: West Nile Virus (WNV) transmission in Italy was first reported in 1998 as an equine outbreak near the swamps of Padule di Fucecchio, Tuscany. No other cases were identified during the following decade until 2008, when horse and human outbreaks were reported in Emilia Romagna, North Italy. Since then, WNV outbreaks have occurred annually, spreading from their initial northern foci throughout the country. Following the outbreak in 1998 the Italian public health authority defined a surveillance plan to detect WNV circulation in birds, horses and mosquitoes. By applying spatial statistical analysis (spatial point pattern analysis) and models (Bayesian GLMM models) to a longitudinal dataset on the abundance of the three putative WNV vectors [Ochlerotatus caspius (Pallas 1771), Culex pipiens (Linnaeus 1758) and Culex modestus (Ficalbi 1890)] in eastern Piedmont, we quantified their abundance and distribution in space and time and generated prediction maps outlining the areas with the highest vector productivity and potential for WNV introduction and amplification. Results: The highest abundance and significant spatial clusters of Oc. caspius and Cx. modestus were in proximity to rice fields, and for Cx. pipiens, in proximity to highly populated urban areas. The GLMM model showed the importance of weather conditions and environmental factors in predicting mosquito abundance. Distance from the preferential breeding sites and elevation were negatively associated with the number of collected mosquitoes. The Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) was positively correlated with mosquito abundance in rice fields (Oc. caspius and Cx. modestus). Based on the best models, we developed prediction maps for the year 2010 outlining the areas where high abundance of vectors could favour the introduction and amplification of WNV. Conclusions: Our findings provide useful information for surveillance activities aiming to identify locations where the potential for WNV introduction and local transmission are highest. Such information can be used by vector control offices to stratify control interventions in areas prone to the invasion of WNV and other mosquito-transmitted pathogens.
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Publication Date: 2011-12-09 PubMed ID: 22152822PubMed Central: PMC3251540DOI: 10.1186/1756-3305-4-230Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article
  • Research Support
  • N.I.H.
  • Extramural
  • Research Support
  • Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support
  • U.S. Gov't
  • Non-P.H.S.

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 study examines the distribution patterns of vectors transmitting West Nile Virus in the eastern Piedmont Region of Italy, using statistical analysis and models to generate prediction maps identifying high-risk areas for disease introduction and amplification.

Background and Purpose of the Research

  • West Nile Virus (WNV) is a mosquito-borne disease that affects both humans and animals. Its first reported transmission in Italy was in 1998, and since 2008, annual outbreaks have been reported.
  • The Italian public health authority, in response to these outbreaks, implemented a surveillance plan to detect the WNV circulation in birds, horses, and mosquitoes.
  • This research seeks to examine the spatio-temporal patterns of the three mosquito species known to transmit WNV [Ochlerotatus caspius (Oc. caspius), Culex pipiens (Cx. pipiens), and Culex modestus (Cx. modestus)] in eastern Piedmont, Italy.

Methods

  • The researchers used spatial statistical analysis and Bayesian Generalized Linear Mixed Models (GLMM) to analyze longitudinal data on the mosquito species’ abundance.
  • They considered several factors, such as weather conditions and environmental factors, distance from preferred breeding sites, and the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), which measures vegetation greenness.

Results

  • The study found the highest abundance and significant spatial clusters of Oc. caspius and Cx. modestus near rice fields, whereas Cx. pipiens was found near highly populated urban areas.
  • The GLMM model revealed that mosquito abundance was largely influenced by weather conditions, environmental factors, proximity to breeding areas, elevation, and vegetation health.
  • Based on these findings, prediction maps were created for the year 2010, identifying areas where high vector productivity could potentially introduce and amplify WNV.

Conclusions

  • The findings offer essential information for surveillance programs aiming to identify areas with a high potential for WNV introduction and transmission.
  • This data can be utilized by vector control offices to develop stratified control interventions in areas that are at a high risk of WNV invasion and the transmission of other mosquito-borne pathogens.

Cite This Article

APA
Bisanzio D, Giacobini M, Bertolotti L, Mosca A, Balbo L, Kitron U, Vazquez-Prokopec GM. (2011). Spatio-temporal patterns of distribution of West Nile virus vectors in eastern Piedmont Region, Italy. Parasit Vectors, 4, 230. https://doi.org/10.1186/1756-3305-4-230

Publication

Parasites & vectors
ISSN: 1756-3305
NlmUniqueID: 101462774
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 4
Pages: 230

Researcher Affiliations

Bisanzio, Donal
  • Department of Animal Production, Epidemiology and Ecology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Torino, Italy. dbisanz@emory.edu
Giacobini, Mario
    Bertolotti, Luigi
      Mosca, Andrea
        Balbo, Luca
          Kitron, Uriel
            Vazquez-Prokopec, Gonzalo M

              MeSH Terms

              • Animals
              • Culex / growth & development
              • Disease Vectors
              • Ecosystem
              • Female
              • Geography
              • Italy
              • Ochlerotatus / growth & development
              • Population Density

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