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Emerging infectious diseases2017; 23(12); 2060-2064; doi: 10.3201/eid2312.162078

West Nile Virus Lineage 2 in Horses and Other Animals with Neurologic Disease, South Africa, 2008-2015.

Abstract: During 2008-2015 in South Africa, we conducted West Nile virus surveillance in 1,407 animals with neurologic disease and identified mostly lineage 2 cases in horses (7.4%, 79/1,069), livestock (1.5%, 2/132), and wildlife (0.5%, 1/206); 35% were fatal. Geographic correlation of horse cases with seropositive veterinarians suggests disease in horses can predict risk in humans.
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Publication Date: 2017-11-18 PubMed ID: 29148375PubMed Central: PMC5708237DOI: 10.3201/eid2312.162078Google 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.

The research article discusses a study conducted in South Africa between 2008 to 2015 which monitored West Nile virus in 1,407 animals with neurologic disease. The study found most cases of the virus were lineage 2 and occurred in horses, livestock, and wildlife, with a mortality rate of 35%. The geographic correlation between horse cases and seropositive veterinarians suggests that disease in horses can be an indicator of risk in humans.

Analysis of West Nile Virus in Animals

  • The research study was conducted over a period of seven years, from 2008 to 2015, observing the occurrence of West Nile virus in a considerable number of animals displaying neurological diseases. A total of 1,407 animals were observed during this period.
  • The authors focused on identifying the lineage of the West Nile virus, discovering that the majority of cases belonged to lineage 2. This is significant because lineage 2 was previously less common and thought to be less likely to cause disease compared to lineage 1.

Rates of Infection in Different Species

  • The study found variations in West Nile virus presence across different species of animals. Horses exhibited the highest rate of infection, with 7.4% of the horse population showing signs of the virus. In contrast, only 1.5% of livestock and 0.5% of wildlife were affected.
  • The mortality rate from the virus was reported to be particularly high, standing at 35%. However, it is unclear if the fatality rate differs among various species or if it is related to animal health conditions, the geographical area, or management practices.

Correlation to Human Risk

  • The researchers observed an interesting geographic correlation between the locations of infected horses and seropositive veterinarians. This correlation suggests that rates of infection in horses might serve as an indicator, or ‘sentinel’, for predicting human risk of the West Nile virus.
  • These findings have important implications for public health. Surveillance of West Nile virus in horses could potentially assist in preparing and responding to outbreaks in human populations. However, it’s important to note that further research is needed to understand the nature of transmission from animals to humans and how to best use this information for public health planning.

Cite This Article

APA
Venter M, Pretorius M, Fuller JA, Botha E, Rakgotho M, Stivaktas V, Weyer C, Romito M, Williams J. (2017). West Nile Virus Lineage 2 in Horses and Other Animals with Neurologic Disease, South Africa, 2008-2015. Emerg Infect Dis, 23(12), 2060-2064. https://doi.org/10.3201/eid2312.162078

Publication

Emerging infectious diseases
ISSN: 1080-6059
NlmUniqueID: 9508155
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 23
Issue: 12
Pages: 2060-2064

Researcher Affiliations

Venter, Marietjie
    Pretorius, Marthi
      Fuller, James A
        Botha, Elizabeth
          Rakgotho, Mpho
            Stivaktas, Voula
              Weyer, Camilla
                Romito, Marco
                  Williams, June

                    MeSH Terms

                    • Animals
                    • Antibodies, Viral / blood
                    • Culex / virology
                    • Epidemiological Monitoring
                    • Horse Diseases
                    • Horses / virology
                    • Humans
                    • Mosquito Vectors / virology
                    • Nervous System Diseases / epidemiology
                    • Nervous System Diseases / mortality
                    • Nervous System Diseases / veterinary
                    • Nervous System Diseases / virology
                    • Prevalence
                    • Prospective Studies
                    • RNA, Viral / genetics
                    • Seasons
                    • South Africa / epidemiology
                    • Survival Analysis
                    • Veterinarians
                    • West Nile Fever / epidemiology
                    • West Nile Fever / mortality
                    • West Nile Fever / veterinary
                    • West Nile Fever / virology
                    • West Nile virus / classification
                    • West Nile virus / genetics
                    • West Nile virus / isolation & purification
                    • West Nile virus / pathogenicity

                    Grant Funding

                    • U19 GH000571 / CGH CDC HHS

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