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West Nile Virus outbreak in Sardinia, Italy, in 2011.
Abstract: West Nile Virus (WNV) is an enveloped, positive-sense RNA virus belonging to the genus Flavivirus, antigenically related to the Japanese encephalitis complex in the family Flaviviridae. The principal vectors are mosquitoes, in particular Culex spp, and virus amplification seems to occur in susceptible birds that are the principal vertebrate reservoir hosts, whereas humans, horses and other vertebrates are considered incidental or dead-end hosts. The first Italian equine outbreak was reported in late summer of 1998 in Tuscany, in the area surrounding the Fucecchio marshes, where 14 clinical cases of WND in housed equines were recorded. In 2011 WNV appeared for the first time in Sardinia, representing the first clinical cases in equines in Italy in 2011. The outbreak occurred both in humans and in equines. The serological survey performed on 253 equines living in the province of Oristano detected a total of 87 IgG-positive subjects. Among them, 46 horses showed neurological signs such as ataxia, paresis, paralysis, hyperesthesia, muscle fasciculations, seizures, or fever. Nine of them died or were euthanized. In forthcoming years, surveillance of wild birds and insects will be used to forecast the extension and spread of WNV. The information gathered will be used to direct or optimise strategies intended to prevent virus transmission.
Publication Date: 2013-01-15 PubMed ID: 23324814DOI: 10.3855/jidc.3305Google Scholar: Lookup The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
- Journal Article
Summary
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The study discusses the first ever outbreak of the West Nile Virus in Sardinia, Italy, in 2011. This event was particularly crucial as the virus had previously only affected horses in the Tuscan area, whereas the Sardinian case had significant impact on both humans and horses. Moreover, this was the first recorded instance of equine clinical cases in Italy for the year.
Understanding the Virus
- The West Nile Virus (WNV) belongs to the Flavivirus genus, categorised under the family Flaviviridae.
- Physically it is an enveloped, positive-sense RNA virus, which shares an antigenic relationship with the Japanese encephalitis complex.
- The main carriers of WNV are mosquitoes, especially of the Culex species.
- This virus typically amplifies in birds, which serve as its main vertebrate reservoir hosts.
- On the other hand, humans, horses, and other vertebrates are viewed as incidental or dead-end hosts due to their susceptibility to the virus.
The Virus’ Impact on Italy
- The first outbreak of WNV impacting horses occurred in the Tuscan region of Italy in the late summer of 1998, particularly surrounding the Fucecchio marshes.
- A total of 14 clinical cases of West Nile Disease (WND) were reported in horses kept in indoor conditions.
- In 2011, the WNV made its first appearance in Sardinia. This marked the first equine clinical cases encountered in Italy in 2011.
- Unlike previous instances, this outbreak didn’t just impact horses but posed a risk to human health as well, hence it was more concerning.
The Outbreak’s After-effects on Sardinian Equines
- A serological survey was conducted on 253 horses residing in the province of Oristano, following the outbreak.
- The survey results revealed a total of 87 horses to be IgG-positive, implying that they were exposed to the virus.
- Of these infected horses, 46 displayed neurologic symptoms such as ataxia (loss of full control of bodily movements), paresis (muscle weakness), paralysis, hyperesthesia (increased sensitivity), muscle fasciculations (muscle twitch), seizures, or fever.
- Nine out of the 46 symptomatic horses either succumbed to the disease or were euthanized due to its severity.
Future Surveillance and Prevention Strategies
- In upcoming years, the surveillance of wild birds and insects will be conducted. The idea behind this is that these creatures could serve as bellwethers to predict the future expansion and spread of WNV.
- Such information would be beneficial in strategizing or optimizing efforts at preventing the virus transmission effectively.
Cite This Article
APA
Spissu N, Panichi G, Montisci A, Fiore F.
(2013).
West Nile Virus outbreak in Sardinia, Italy, in 2011.
J Infect Dev Ctries, 7(1), 6-9.
https://doi.org/10.3855/jidc.3305 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy. nspissu@uniss.it
MeSH Terms
- Adult
- Aged
- Aged, 80 and over
- Animals
- Antibodies, Viral / blood
- Disease Outbreaks / veterinary
- Horse Diseases / epidemiology
- Horse Diseases / virology
- Horses
- Humans
- Immunoglobulin G / blood
- Italy / epidemiology
- Male
- West Nile Fever / epidemiology
- West Nile Fever / veterinary
- West Nile Fever / virology
- West Nile virus / immunology
Citations
This article has been cited 5 times.- Silverj A, Mencattelli G, Monaco F, Iapaolo F, Teodori L, Leone A, Polci A, Curini V, Di Domenico M, Secondini B, Di Lollo V, Ancora M, Di Gennaro A, Morelli D, Perrotta MG, Marini G, Rosà R, Segata N, Rota-Stabelli O, Rizzoli A, Savini G. Origin and evolution of West Nile virus lineage 1 in Italy. Epidemiol Infect 2024 Dec 2;152:e150.
- Fois F, Culurgioni J, Cappai S, Mereu Piras P, Toma L, Rolesu S, Liciardi M. An overview on Sardinia's soft ticks (Ixodida: Argasidae). Exp Appl Acarol 2016 Jun;69(2):225-32.
- Prow NA, Setoh YX, Biron RM, Sester DP, Kim KS, Hobson-Peters J, Hall RA, Bielefeldt-Ohmann H. The West Nile virus-like flavivirus Koutango is highly virulent in mice due to delayed viral clearance and the induction of a poor neutralizing antibody response. J Virol 2014 Sep 1;88(17):9947-62.
- Prow NA. The changing epidemiology of Kunjin virus in Australia. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2013 Nov 25;10(12):6255-72.
- Barzon L, Pacenti M, Franchin E, Squarzon L, Lavezzo E, Cattai M, Cusinato R, Palù G. The complex epidemiological scenario of West Nile virus in Italy. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2013 Sep 30;10(10):4669-89.
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