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Veterinary microbiology2007; 129(3-4); 378-383; doi: 10.1016/j.vetmic.2007.11.022

The relationship between equine and human West Nile virus disease occurrence.

Abstract: Cases of human and equine West Nile virus (WNV) disease reported in Texas in 2002 were analyzed to assess their temporal relationship. For each human case with a known residential location, the closest equine case (within a 5 km radius) was selected. A total of 80 human-equine case pairs were identified, 51 (64%) of which were located in urban areas. Dates-of-onset of human and equine cases were positively correlated (r(SP)=0.494, P<0.001). Although overall there was no significant (P=0.207) difference between the dates-of-onset of human and equine cases, in urban areas of Texas equine cases were reported significantly (P=0.011) earlier (August 7) than corresponding human cases (August 19). Monitoring equine populations that are susceptible to WNV disease within close proximity to urban human populations might be useful for predicting disease risk in human populations.
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Publication Date: 2007-11-29 PubMed ID: 18182255DOI: 10.1016/j.vetmic.2007.11.022Google Scholar: Lookup
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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 focused on studying the connection between occurrences of the West Nile virus (WNV) disease in humans and horses in Texas in 2002. It observed that the onset dates for the disease in horses and humans are significantly related, suggesting disease monitoring in urban horses may be useful in predicting disease risk in humans.

Research Context and Methodology

  • The study analyzed reported cases of West Nile virus (WNV) disease in both humans and horses that occurred in Texas in 2002.
  • Where the residential locations for human cases were known, the research identified the nearest horse case within a 5 km radius. This process resulted in the identification of 80 human-equine case pairs.
  • The emphasis of the study was on assessing the temporal relationships, or time-related patterns, between the occurrences of the WNV disease in humans and horses.

Findings and Interpretation

  • Out of the 80 pairs, 51 (representing 64%) were located in urban areas.
  • The researchers found a positive correlation between the dates when the disease onset in human cases and equine cases, which was statistically significant (r(SP)=0.494, P<0.001).
  • However, no statistically significant difference was observed between the dates-of-onset of human and equine cases when all cases were considered (P=0.207).
  • Nonetheless, in urban areas of Texas, a noteworthy pattern emerged: horse cases were reported significantly earlier (August 7) compared to human cases (August 19). This difference was statistically significant (P=0.011).

Implications and Conclusion

  • The results of this research suggest that monitoring WNV disease in horses, particularly those in urban areas, could be a valuable tool in predicting the risk of WNV disease outbreaks among human populations.
  • The findings indicate that in urban settings, equine WNV disease cases can potentially serve as an early warning system for impending human cases.
  • Therefore, keeping a close watch on susceptible horse populations in areas near human habitations, such as in urban regions, might provide advance indication of the likelihood of human WNV disease occurrence.

Cite This Article

APA
Ward MP, Scheurmann JA. (2007). The relationship between equine and human West Nile virus disease occurrence. Vet Microbiol, 129(3-4), 378-383. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.vetmic.2007.11.022

Publication

Veterinary microbiology
ISSN: 0378-1135
NlmUniqueID: 7705469
Country: Netherlands
Language: English
Volume: 129
Issue: 3-4
Pages: 378-383

Researcher Affiliations

Ward, Michael P
  • Department of Veterinary Integrative Biosciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843-4458, USA. mward@cvm.tamu.edu
Scheurmann, James A

    MeSH Terms

    • Animals
    • Disease Reservoirs / veterinary
    • Horse Diseases / transmission
    • Horse Diseases / virology
    • Horses
    • Humans
    • Sentinel Surveillance / veterinary
    • Species Specificity
    • West Nile Fever / transmission
    • West Nile Fever / virology
    • West Nile virus / pathogenicity
    • Zoonoses

    Citations

    This article has been cited 12 times.
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