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Home / Equine Research Bank / Emerg Infect Dis / West Nile Virus infection in humans and horses, Cuba.
Emerging infectious diseases2006; 12(6); 1022-1024; doi: 10.3201/eid1206.051235

West Nile Virus infection in humans and horses, Cuba.

Abstract: A surveillance system to detect West Nile virus (WNV) was established in Cuba in 2002. WNV infection was confirmed by serologic assays in 4 asymptomatic horses and 3 humans with encephalitis in 2003 and 2004. These results are the first reported evidence of WNV activity in Cuba.
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Publication Date: 2006-05-19 PubMed ID: 16707068PubMed Central: PMC3373050DOI: 10.3201/eid1206.051235Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

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This research article discusses the establishment of a surveillance system to detect West Nile Virus (WNV) in Cuba, confirmed cases of the virus in humans and horses, and its implications, making this the first reported evidence of WNV activity in the area.

Surveillance System Establishment

  • The researchers in this study set-up a surveillance system to detect the West Nile Virus (WNV) in Cuba in 2002. This was done in response to the increasing global prevalence of the virus, which necessitated steps towards early detection and prevention.

Confirmed Cases of Infection

  • Upon establishment of the surveillance system, the presence of WNV was confirmed in several subjects. These included 4 asymptomatic horses and 3 humans who had developed encephalitis. Encephalitis indicates an inflammation of the brain, which is a serious and potentially lethal complication that can arise from WNV infection.

First Reported Evidence of WNV in Cuba

  • The findings from the study represent the first reported evidence of WNV activity in Cuba. Prior to this study, there had been no confirmed cases or other evidence suggesting the presence of WNV in the area.
  • This demonstrates the importance of the establishment of preventive and early detection measures against transmissible diseases such as WNV.
  • The researchers are hoping that these findings may help instigate further investigations and bolster disease prevention efforts both in Cuba and other areas with similar environmental and biological characteristics.

Cite This Article

APA
Pupo M, Guzmán MG, Fernández R, Llop A, Dickinson FO, Pérez D, Cruz R, González T, Estévez G, González H, Santos P, Kourí G, Andonova M, Lindsay R, Artsob H, Drebot M. (2006). West Nile Virus infection in humans and horses, Cuba. Emerg Infect Dis, 12(6), 1022-1024. https://doi.org/10.3201/eid1206.051235

Publication

Emerging infectious diseases
ISSN: 1080-6040
NlmUniqueID: 9508155
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 12
Issue: 6
Pages: 1022-1024

Researcher Affiliations

Pupo, Maritza
  • Tropical Medicine Institute Pedro Kouri, Havana, Cuba. mpupo@ipk.sld.cu
Guzmán, Maria Guadalupe
    Fernández, Roberto
      Llop, Alina
        Dickinson, Félix Orlando
          Pérez, Daniel
            Cruz, Raúl
              González, Tayri
                Estévez, Gonzalo
                  González, Hiram
                    Santos, Paulino
                      Kourí, Gustavo
                        Andonova, Maya
                          Lindsay, Robbin
                            Artsob, Harvey
                              Drebot, Michael

                                MeSH Terms

                                • Animals
                                • Antibodies, Viral / blood
                                • Birds
                                • Cuba / epidemiology
                                • Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
                                • Horse Diseases / blood
                                • Horse Diseases / epidemiology
                                • Horse Diseases / virology
                                • Horses
                                • Humans
                                • Neutralization Tests
                                • Seroepidemiologic Studies
                                • West Nile Fever / blood
                                • West Nile Fever / epidemiology
                                • West Nile Fever / veterinary
                                • West Nile Fever / virology
                                • West Nile virus / isolation & purification

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                                Citations

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