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Euro surveillance : bulletin Europeen sur les maladies transmissibles = European communicable disease bulletin2023; 28(40); 2200844; doi: 10.2807/1560-7917.ES.2023.28.40.2200844

West Nile virus in the Iberian Peninsula: using equine cases to identify high-risk areas for humans.

Abstract: BackgroundWest Nile virus (WNV) is a flavivirus with an enzootic cycle between birds and mosquitoes; humans and horses are incidental dead-end hosts. In 2020, the largest outbreak of West Nile virus infection in the Iberian Peninsula occurred, with 141 clusters in horses and 77 human cases.AimWe analysed which drivers influence spillover from the cycle to humans and equines and identified areas at risk for WNV transmission.MethodsBased on data on WNV cases in horses and humans in 2020 in Portugal and Spain, we developed logistic regression models using environmental and anthropic variables to highlight risk areas. Models were adapted to a high-resolution risk map.ResultsCases of WNV in horses could be used as indicators of viral activity and thus predict cases in humans. The risk map of horses was able to define high-risk areas for previous cases in humans and equines in Portugal and Spain, as well as predict human and horse cases in the transmission seasons of 2021 and 2022. We found that the spatial patterns of the favourable areas for outbreaks correspond to the main hydrographic basins of the Iberian Peninsula, jointly affecting Portugal and Spain.ConclusionA risk map highlighting the risk areas for potential future cases could be cost-effective as a means of promoting preventive measures to decrease incidence of WNV infection in Europe, based on a One Health surveillance approach.
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Publication Date: 2023-10-05 PubMed ID: 37796440PubMed Central: PMC10557382DOI: 10.2807/1560-7917.ES.2023.28.40.2200844Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

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The research article discusses how incidences of the West Nile virus (WNV) in horses can predict and identify risk areas for human infections in the Iberian Peninsula. The study presents a risk map and assesses environmental and anthropic variables.

Research Background and Aim

  • The researchers embarked on this study following the largest WNV outbreak recorded in the Iberian Peninsula in 2020. The virus primarily exists within a cycle between birds and mosquitoes, but can also infect humans and horses. The latter serve as dead-end hosts since they cannot pass the infection onwards.
  • The key aim of the study was to identify which factors influence the spillover of the virus from its enzootic cycle to humans and horses, and by doing so, further determine areas carrying a high risk for WNV transmission.

Methods Used in the Study

  • WNV cases recorded in horses and humans during the 2020 outbreak in Portugal and Spain served as the foundation for the research data.
  • The team used logistic regression models to analyze the impact of environmental and anthropic variables on WNV transmission risk.
  • These models were then used to create a high-resolution risk map of the affected areas.

Results of the Study

  • The study found that incidences of WNV in horses could act as reliable indicators of viral activity, and thereby assist in predicting cases in humans.
  • The risk map created from the horse cases accurately demarcated areas with a high risk for previous human and equine cases in Portugal and Spain.
  • Furthermore, it was able to foretell cases in the forthcoming 2021 and 2022 transmission seasons.
  • The spatial patterns of potential outbreak areas were found to coincide with the primary hydrographic basins of the Iberian Peninsula, affecting both Portugal and Spain.

Conclusion of the Study

  • The research concludes that a risk map identifying potentially dangerous areas for future cases could be a cost-effective tool for implementing preventive measures.
  • This strategy could help reduce the incidence of WNV infection in Europe, based on a One Health surveillance approach that creates links between the health of humans, animals, and the environment.

Cite This Article

APA
García-Carrasco JM, Muñoz AR, Olivero J, Segura M, García-Bocanegra I, Real R. (2023). West Nile virus in the Iberian Peninsula: using equine cases to identify high-risk areas for humans. Euro Surveill, 28(40), 2200844. https://doi.org/10.2807/1560-7917.ES.2023.28.40.2200844

Publication

Euro surveillance : bulletin Europeen sur les maladies transmissibles = European communicable disease bulletin
ISSN: 1560-7917
NlmUniqueID: 100887452
Country: Sweden
Language: English
Volume: 28
Issue: 40
PII: 2200844

Researcher Affiliations

García-Carrasco, José-María
  • Biogeography, Diversity and Conservation Lab, Department of Animal Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Málaga, Málaga, Spain.
Muñoz, Antonio-Román
  • Biogeography, Diversity and Conservation Lab, Department of Animal Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Málaga, Málaga, Spain.
Olivero, Jesús
  • Biogeography, Diversity and Conservation Lab, Department of Animal Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Málaga, Málaga, Spain.
Segura, Marina
  • International Vaccination Center of Malaga, Maritime Port of Malaga, Ministry of Health, Consumption and Social Welfare, Government of Spain, Málaga, Spain.
García-Bocanegra, Ignacio
  • Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de Córdoba, Córdoba, Spain.
Real, Raimundo
  • Biogeography, Diversity and Conservation Lab, Department of Animal Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Málaga, Málaga, Spain.

MeSH Terms

  • Humans
  • Horses
  • Animals
  • West Nile virus
  • Europe
  • Portugal / epidemiology
  • Spain / epidemiology
  • West Nile Fever / diagnosis
  • West Nile Fever / epidemiology
  • West Nile Fever / veterinary

Conflict of Interest Statement

None declared.

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