FREE SHIPPING over $40
OVER 9000 FIVE-STAR REVIEWS
5% OFF ALL SUBSCRIPTIONS
100% HAPPINESS GUARANTEE
Analyze Diet
0
Home / Equine Research Bank / Zoonoses Public Health / West Nile virus transmission in 2008 in north-eastern Italy.
Zoonoses and public health2009; 57(3); 211-219; doi: 10.1111/j.1863-2378.2009.01303.x

West Nile virus transmission in 2008 in north-eastern Italy.

Abstract: After 10 years, West Nile virus (WNV) re-emerged in Italy in August 2008. As on 31 December 2008, the infection affected eight Provinces in three Regions (Emilia Romagna, Veneto, Lombardy), where a total of 794 cases of WNV infection in 251 equine stables were detected on the basis of the clinical signs and as a result of a serological screening in horses living in the area. Only 4.0% (32/794) of the serologically positive animals showed clinical signs, and the 32 clinical cases were reported in 18 different farms. The observed case-fatality rate was 15.6% (5/32). The confirmed clinical cases were detected from end August to mid October. Significant levels of positivity by RT-PCR were also observed in magpies (Pica pica) (9.1%, 95% confidence levels: 6.1-13.4%), carrion crows (Corvus corone) (7.4%, 95% confidence levels: 3.6-14.4%) and rock pigeons (Columba livia) (12.9%, 95% confidence levels: 7.6-21.2%).
Get Full Text
Publication Date: 2009-12-23 PubMed ID: 20042066DOI: 10.1111/j.1863-2378.2009.01303.xGoogle 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.
LinkedInCopy
  • 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 article discusses a study conducted in Italy which analyzed the re-emergence of the West Nile Virus in 2008, noting its prevalence, transmission, and effects in horses and certain bird species.

Research Context and Objective

  • The study was focused on the resurgence of the West Nile Virus (WNV) in Italy, a decade after its initial appearance.
  • The objective was to survey and analyse the spread of WNV infection in multiple provinces across Italy.

Data Collection and Results

  • The researchers gathered data until the end of December 2008, tracking the WNV infection in three distinct regions: Emilia Romagna, Veneto, and Lombardy.
  • A total of 794 cases of WNV infection were identified in 251 equine stables, both through observing clinical signs and serological screening in horses residing in the affected areas.
  • It was found that a minor percentage of infected horses (4.0% or 32 out of 794) showed clinical signs of the infection.
  • These clinical cases were distributed across 18 different farms, and the case-fatality rate was found to be 15.6%.
  • The clinical cases were reported from late August to mid-October, demonstrating the timeframe of active transmission.

Infection Rates in Birds

  • The study also conducted RT-PCR tests on three bird species to detect WNV presence.
  • Significant rates of positivity were observed in magpies (9.1%), carrion crows (7.4%), and rock pigeons (12.9%), indicating these bird species could be potential carriers of WNV.

Conclusion

  • The study provides important data on the spread of WNV in northeastern Italy in 2008, highlighting its impact on horses and implicating certain bird species as possible transmission vectors.
  • Such findings can help in developing strategies for disease control and prevention in regions where similar conditions exist.

Cite This Article

APA
Calistri P, Giovannini A, Savini G, Monaco F, Bonfanti L, Ceolin C, Terregino C, Tamba M, Cordioli P, Lelli R. (2009). West Nile virus transmission in 2008 in north-eastern Italy. Zoonoses Public Health, 57(3), 211-219. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1863-2378.2009.01303.x

Publication

Zoonoses and public health
ISSN: 1863-2378
NlmUniqueID: 101300786
Country: Germany
Language: English
Volume: 57
Issue: 3
Pages: 211-219

Researcher Affiliations

Calistri, P
  • Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell'Abruzzo e del Molise G. Caporale, Teramo, Italy. p.calistri@izs.it
Giovannini, A
    Savini, G
      Monaco, F
        Bonfanti, L
          Ceolin, C
            Terregino, C
              Tamba, M
                Cordioli, P
                  Lelli, R

                    MeSH Terms

                    • Animals
                    • Birds / virology
                    • Disease Outbreaks / veterinary
                    • Horse Diseases / epidemiology
                    • Horse Diseases / transmission
                    • Horse Diseases / virology
                    • Horses
                    • Italy / epidemiology
                    • Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction / veterinary
                    • West Nile Fever / epidemiology
                    • West Nile Fever / transmission
                    • West Nile Fever / veterinary
                    • West Nile Fever / virology
                    • West Nile virus / isolation & purification

                    Citations

                    This article has been cited 32 times.
                    1. Krol L, Blom R, Dellar M, van der Beek JG, Stroo ACJ, van Bodegom PM, Geerling GW, Koenraadt CJM, Schrama M. Interactive effects of climate, land use and soil type on Culex pipiens/torrentium abundance.. One Health 2023 Dec;17:100589.
                      doi: 10.1016/j.onehlt.2023.100589pubmed: 37415720google scholar: lookup
                    2. Ruiz-López MJ, Muñoz-Chimeno M, Figuerola J, Gavilán AM, Varona S, Cuesta I, Martínez-de la Puente J, Zaballos Á, Molero F, Soriguer RC, Sánchez-Seco MP, Ruiz S, Vázquez A. Genomic Analysis of West Nile Virus Lineage 1 Detected in Mosquitoes during the 2020-2021 Outbreaks in Andalusia, Spain.. Viruses 2023 Jan 17;15(2).
                      doi: 10.3390/v15020266pubmed: 36851481google scholar: lookup
                    3. Mancuso E, Cecere JG, Iapaolo F, Di Gennaro A, Sacchi M, Savini G, Spina F, Monaco F. West Nile and Usutu Virus Introduction via Migratory Birds: A Retrospective Analysis in Italy.. Viruses 2022 Feb 17;14(2).
                      doi: 10.3390/v14020416pubmed: 35216009google scholar: lookup
                    4. Mencattelli G, Iapaolo F, Monaco F, Fusco G, de Martinis C, Portanti O, Di Gennaro A, Curini V, Polci A, Berjaoui S, Di Felice E, Rosà R, Rizzoli A, Savini G. West Nile Virus Lineage 1 in Italy: Newly Introduced or a Re-Occurrence of a Previously Circulating Strain?. Viruses 2021 Dec 30;14(1).
                      doi: 10.3390/v14010064pubmed: 35062268google scholar: lookup
                    5. Macaluso G, Gucciardi F, Guercio A, Blanda V, La Russa F, Torina A, Mira F, Bella SD, Lastra A, Giacchino I, Castronovo C, Vitale G, Purpari G. First neuroinvasive human case of West Nile Disease in Southern Italy: Results of the 'One Health' approach.. Vet Med Sci 2021 Nov;7(6):2463-2472.
                      doi: 10.1002/vms3.591pubmed: 34505400google scholar: lookup
                    6. Sotomayor-Bonilla J, Tolsá-García MJ, García-Peña GE, Santiago-Alarcon D, Mendoza H, Alvarez-Mendizabal P, Rico-Chávez O, Sarmiento-Silva RE, Suzán G. Insights into the Host Specificity of Mosquito-Borne Flaviviruses Infecting Wild Mammals.. Ecohealth 2019 Dec;16(4):726-733.
                      doi: 10.1007/s10393-019-01442-2pubmed: 31664588google scholar: lookup
                    7. Barba M, Fairbanks EL, Daly JM. Equine viral encephalitis: prevalence, impact, and management strategies.. Vet Med (Auckl) 2019;10:99-110.
                      doi: 10.2147/VMRR.S168227pubmed: 31497528google scholar: lookup
                    8. Veo C, Della Ventura C, Moreno A, Rovida F, Percivalle E, Canziani S, Torri D, Calzolari M, Baldanti F, Galli M, Zehender G. Evolutionary Dynamics of the Lineage 2 West Nile Virus That Caused the Largest European Epidemic: Italy 2011-2018.. Viruses 2019 Sep 3;11(9).
                      doi: 10.3390/v11090814pubmed: 31484295google scholar: lookup
                    9. Tolsá MJ, García-Peña GE, Rico-Chávez O, Roche B, Suzán G. Macroecology of birds potentially susceptible to West Nile virus.. Proc Biol Sci 2018 Dec 19;285(1893):20182178.
                      doi: 10.1098/rspb.2018.2178pubmed: 30963915google scholar: lookup
                    10. Jiménez de Oya N, Camacho MC, Blázquez AB, Lima-Barbero JF, Saiz JC, Höfle U, Escribano-Romero E. High susceptibility of magpie (Pica pica) to experimental infection with lineage 1 and 2 West Nile virus.. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2018 Apr;12(4):e0006394.
                      doi: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0006394pubmed: 29634743google scholar: lookup
                    11. Marini G, Poletti P, Giacobini M, Pugliese A, Merler S, Rosà R. The Role of Climatic and Density Dependent Factors in Shaping Mosquito Population Dynamics: The Case of Culex pipiens in Northwestern Italy.. PLoS One 2016;11(4):e0154018.
                      doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0154018pubmed: 27105065google scholar: lookup
                    12. Simonato M, Martinez-Sañudo I, Cavaletto G, Santoiemma G, Saltarin A, Mazzon L. High genetic diversity in the Culex pipiens complex from a West Nile Virus epidemic area in Southern Europe.. Parasit Vectors 2016 Mar 15;9:150.
                      doi: 10.1186/s13071-016-1429-1pubmed: 26979749google scholar: lookup
                    13. Lim SM, Brault AC, van Amerongen G, Bosco-Lauth AM, Romo H, Sewbalaksing VD, Bowen RA, Osterhaus AD, Koraka P, Martina BE. Susceptibility of Carrion Crows to Experimental Infection with Lineage 1 and 2 West Nile Viruses.. Emerg Infect Dis 2015 Aug;21(8):1357-65.
                      doi: 10.3201/2108.140714pubmed: 26197093google scholar: lookup
                    14. Napoli C, Iannetti S, Rizzo C, Bella A, Di Sabatino D, Bruno R, Sauro F, Martini V, Santucci VU, Declich S, Calistri P. Vector borne infections in Italy: results of the integrated surveillance system for West Nile disease in 2013.. Biomed Res Int 2015;2015:643439.
                      doi: 10.1155/2015/643439pubmed: 25874224google scholar: lookup
                    15. Di Sabatino D, Bruno R, Sauro F, Danzetta ML, Cito F, Iannetti S, Narcisi V, De Massis F, Calistri P. Epidemiology of West Nile disease in Europe and in the Mediterranean Basin from 2009 to 2013.. Biomed Res Int 2014;2014:907852.
                      doi: 10.1155/2014/907852pubmed: 25302311google scholar: lookup
                    16. Rizzo F, Cerutti F, Ballardini M, Mosca A, Vitale N, Radaelli MC, Desiato R, Prearo M, Pautasso A, Casalone C, Acutis P, Peletto S, Mandola ML. Molecular characterization of flaviviruses from field-collected mosquitoes in northwestern Italy, 2011-2012.. Parasit Vectors 2014 Aug 26;7:395.
                      doi: 10.1186/1756-3305-7-395pubmed: 25160565google scholar: lookup
                    17. Rosà R, Marini G, Bolzoni L, Neteler M, Metz M, Delucchi L, Chadwick EA, Balbo L, Mosca A, Giacobini M, Bertolotti L, Rizzoli A. Early warning of West Nile virus mosquito vector: climate and land use models successfully explain phenology and abundance of Culex pipiens mosquitoes in north-western Italy.. Parasit Vectors 2014 Jun 12;7:269.
                      doi: 10.1186/1756-3305-7-269pubmed: 24924622google scholar: lookup
                    18. Lim SM, Brault AC, van Amerongen G, Sewbalaksing VD, Osterhaus ADME, Martina BEE, Koraka P. Susceptibility of European jackdaws (Corvus monedula) to experimental infection with lineage 1 and 2 West Nile viruses.. J Gen Virol 2014 Jun;95(Pt 6):1320-1329.
                      doi: 10.1099/vir.0.063651-0pubmed: 24671752google scholar: lookup
                    19. Mulatti P, Mazzucato M, Montarsi F, Ciocchetta S, Capelli G, Bonfanti L, Marangon S. Retrospective space-time analysis methods to support West Nile virus surveillance activities.. Epidemiol Infect 2015 Jan;143(1):202-13.
                      doi: 10.1017/S0950268814000442pubmed: 24641869google scholar: lookup
                    20. Mulatti P, Ferguson HM, Bonfanti L, Montarsi F, Capelli G, Marangon S. Determinants of the population growth of the West Nile virus mosquito vector Culex pipiens in a repeatedly affected area in Italy.. Parasit Vectors 2014 Jan 15;7:26.
                      doi: 10.1186/1756-3305-7-26pubmed: 24428887google scholar: lookup
                    21. Marka A, Diamantidis A, Papa A, Valiakos G, Chaintoutis SC, Doukas D, Tserkezou P, Giannakopoulos A, Papaspyropoulos K, Patsoula E, Badieritakis E, Baka A, Tseroni M, Pervanidou D, Papadopoulos NT, Koliopoulos G, Tontis D, Dovas CI, Billinis C, Tsakris A, Kremastinou J, Hadjichristodoulou C, Vakalis N, Vassalou E, Zarzani S, Zounos A, Komata K, Balatsos G, Beleri S, Mpimpa A, Papavasilopoulos V, Rodis I, Spanakos G, Tegos N, Spyrou V, Dalabiras Z, Birtsas P, Athanasiou L, Papanastassopoulou M, Ioannou C, Athanasiou C, Gerofotis C, Papadopoulou E, Testa T, Tsakalidou O, Rachiotis G, Bitsolas N, Mamouris Z, Moutou K, Sarafidou T, Stamatis K, Sarri K, Tsiodras S, Georgakopoulou T, Detsis M, Mavrouli M, Stavropoulou A, Politi L, Mageira G, Christopoulou V, Diamantopoulou G, Spanakis N, Vrioni G, Piperaki ET, Mitsopoulou K, Kioulos I, Michaelakis A, Stathis I, Tselentis I, Psaroulaki A, Keramarou M, Chochlakis D, Photis Y, Konstantinou M, Manetos P, Tsobanoglou S, Mourelatos S, Antalis V, Pergantas P, Eleftheriou G. West Nile virus state of the art report of MALWEST Project.. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2013 Dec 2;10(12):6534-610.
                      doi: 10.3390/ijerph10126534pubmed: 24317379google scholar: lookup
                    22. Pauli G, Bauerfeind U, Blümel J, Burger R, Drosten C, Gröner A, Gürtler L, Heiden M, Hildebrandt M, Jansen B, Montag-Lessing T, Offergeld R, Seitz R, Schlenkrich U, Schottstedt V, Strobel J, Willkommen H. West nile virus.. Transfus Med Hemother 2013 Aug;40(4):265-84.
                      doi: 10.1159/000353698pubmed: 24179475google scholar: lookup
                    23. Martín-Acebes MA, Saiz JC. West Nile virus: A re-emerging pathogen revisited.. World J Virol 2012 Apr 12;1(2):51-70.
                      doi: 10.5501/wjv.v1.i2.51pubmed: 24175211google scholar: lookup
                    24. Mughini-Gras L, Mulatti P, Severini F, Boccolini D, Romi R, Bongiorno G, Khoury C, Bianchi R, Montarsi F, Patregnani T, Bonfanti L, Rezza G, Capelli G, Busani L. Ecological niche modelling of potential West Nile virus vector mosquito species and their geographical association with equine epizootics in Italy.. Ecohealth 2014;11(1):120-32.
                      doi: 10.1007/s10393-013-0878-7pubmed: 24121802google scholar: lookup
                    25. Grisenti M, Arnoldi D, Rizzolli F, Giacobini M, Bertolotti L, Rizzoli A. Lack of identification of Flaviviruses in oral and cloacal swabs from long- and short-distance migratory birds in Trentino-Alto Adige (North-eastern Italy).. Virol J 2013 Oct 11;10:306.
                      doi: 10.1186/1743-422X-10-306pubmed: 24119320google scholar: lookup
                    26. Lim SM, Koraka P, van Boheemen S, Roose JM, Jaarsma D, van de Vijver DA, Osterhaus AD, Martina BE. Characterization of the mouse neuroinvasiveness of selected European strains of West Nile virus.. PLoS One 2013;8(9):e74575.
                      doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0074575pubmed: 24058590google scholar: lookup
                    27. Calzolari M, Gaibani P, Bellini R, Defilippo F, Pierro A, Albieri A, Maioli G, Luppi A, Rossini G, Balzani A, Tamba M, Galletti G, Gelati A, Carrieri M, Poglayen G, Cavrini F, Natalini S, Dottori M, Sambri V, Angelini P, Bonilauri P. Mosquito, bird and human surveillance of West Nile and Usutu viruses in Emilia-Romagna Region (Italy) in 2010.. PLoS One 2012;7(5):e38058.
                      doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0038058pubmed: 22666446google scholar: lookup
                    28. Bisanzio D, Giacobini M, Bertolotti L, Mosca A, Balbo L, Kitron U, Vazquez-Prokopec GM. Spatio-temporal patterns of distribution of West Nile virus vectors in eastern Piedmont Region, Italy.. Parasit Vectors 2011 Dec 9;4:230.
                      doi: 10.1186/1756-3305-4-230pubmed: 22152822google scholar: lookup
                    29. Rossini G, Carletti F, Bordi L, Cavrini F, Gaibani P, Landini MP, Pierro A, Capobianchi MR, Di Caro A, Sambri V. Phylogenetic analysis of West Nile virus isolates, Italy, 2008-2009.. Emerg Infect Dis 2011 May;17(5):903-6.
                      doi: 10.3201/eid1705.101569pubmed: 21529408google scholar: lookup
                    30. Calzolari M, Bonilauri P, Bellini R, Albieri A, Defilippo F, Maioli G, Galletti G, Gelati A, Barbieri I, Tamba M, Lelli D, Carra E, Cordioli P, Angelini P, Dottori M. Evidence of simultaneous circulation of West Nile and Usutu viruses in mosquitoes sampled in Emilia-Romagna region (Italy) in 2009.. PLoS One 2010 Dec 15;5(12):e14324.
                      doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0014324pubmed: 21179462google scholar: lookup
                    31. Calistri P, Giovannini A, Hubalek Z, Ionescu A, Monaco F, Savini G, Lelli R. Epidemiology of west nile in europe and in the mediterranean basin.. Open Virol J 2010 Apr 22;4:29-37.
                      doi: 10.2174/1874357901004020029pubmed: 20517490google scholar: lookup
                    32. Pfeffer M, Dobler G. Emergence of zoonotic arboviruses by animal trade and migration.. Parasit Vectors 2010 Apr 8;3(1):35.
                      doi: 10.1186/1756-3305-3-35pubmed: 20377873google scholar: lookup
                    Subscribe to our newsletter
                    Join 99,359 horse owners like you who receive our email updates on horse health and nutrition.