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Emerging infectious diseases2002; 8(12); 1372-1378; doi: 10.3201/eid0812.020234

West Nile virus epidemic in horses, Tuscany region, Italy.

Abstract: During the late summer of 1998, veterinary authorities in Tuscany, Italy, received reports of cases of neurologic disease among horses residing in a large wetland area located in the provinces of Florence and Pistoia. West Nile virus was isolated from two of the six horses that died or were euthanized. A retrospective epidemiologic study identified 14 clinical neurologic cases that occurred from August 20 to October 6 (attack rate of 2.8%). A serologic survey conducted over a 700-km2 area in stables with and without apparent clinical cases confirmed a wider spread of the infection, with an overall seroprevalence rate of 38% in the affected area. No significant differences in age-specific prevalence were observed, suggesting that the horses residing in the area had not been exposed previously to West Nile virus and supporting the hypothesis of its introduction in the wetland area during the first half of 1998.
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Publication Date: 2002-12-25 PubMed ID: 12498650PubMed Central: PMC2738505DOI: 10.3201/eid0812.020234Google 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.

The research study documents an outbreak of West Nile virus in horses in the Tuscany region of Italy in 1998, with a seroprevalence rate of 38% in the affected area, supporting the introduction of the virus in that year, and observes no relevant differences in age-specific prevalence, implying a lack of prior exposure among local horses.

Overview of the Study

The research was triggered by the wave of neurological disease among horses in the wetland area of Florence and Pistoia, Italy during late summer 1998. The prime focus of the study was to isolate potential causes of the disease outbreak and understanding its dynamics, with West Nile virus emerging as the prevalent cause.

  • The wetland habitat provided an ideal environment for mosquitoes, the primary vectors of West Nile virus, which contributed to the spread of the infection.
  • After observing neurological symptoms in horses, West Nile virus was isolated as a cause. Posthumous examination of six horses that either died or were euthanized confirmed the presence of the virus in two cases.

Retrospective Epidemiology and Serologic Survey

The researchers conducted a retrospective epidemiological study to understand the prevalence and spread of the disease.

  • The study identified a total of 14 clinical neurological cases that occurred between August 20 and October 6, indicating an attack rate of 2.8%.
  • A broader serologic survey, over a 700-km2 area encompassing stables with and without apparent clinical cases, unveiled wider spread of the infection.
  • The overall seropreval
    ence rate in the affected area was found to be 38%, which is quite significant considering the short time span of the epidemic.

Insights on Age-Specific Prevalence

The study also revealed insights into age-specific prevalence, which suggested that the horses in the area had not been exposed previously to West Nile virus.

  • There were no significant differences in virus prevalence among horses of different ages, suggesting that none of the horses had been exposed to the virus before.
  • This lack of prior exposure lends support to the idea that the virus was introduced to the wetland area in the first half of 1998, thereby precipitating the epidemic.

Cite This Article

APA
Autorino GL, Battisti A, Deubel V, Ferrari G, Forletta R, Giovannini A, Lelli R, Murri S, Scicluna MT. (2002). West Nile virus epidemic in horses, Tuscany region, Italy. Emerg Infect Dis, 8(12), 1372-1378. https://doi.org/10.3201/eid0812.020234

Publication

Emerging infectious diseases
ISSN: 1080-6040
NlmUniqueID: 9508155
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 8
Issue: 12
Pages: 1372-1378

Researcher Affiliations

Autorino, Gian Luca
  • Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Regioni Lazio e Toscana, Rome, Italy.
Battisti, Antonio
    Deubel, Vincent
      Ferrari, Giancarlo
        Forletta, Riccardo
          Giovannini, Armando
            Lelli, Rossella
              Murri, Severine
                Scicluna, Maria Teresa

                  MeSH Terms

                  • Animals
                  • Disease Outbreaks / veterinary
                  • Horse Diseases / virology
                  • Horses
                  • Italy / epidemiology
                  • Retrospective Studies
                  • Seroepidemiologic Studies
                  • West Nile Fever / epidemiology
                  • West Nile Fever / veterinary
                  • West Nile virus / isolation & purification

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