Circulation of Zoonotic Arboviruses in Equine Populations of Mallorca Island (Spain)
- 1 May 2017
- journal article
- research article
- Published by Mary Ann Liebert Inc in Vector-Borne and Zoonotic Diseases
- Vol. 17 (5), 340-346
- https://doi.org/10.1089/vbz.2016.2042
Abstract
The presence of major arbovirus vector species, climate change that promotes the expansion and increase of their populations, and potential animal reservoirs mean that vector-borne diseases represent a significant health risk for Mallorca's inhabitants. Microbiological monitoring of circulating arboviruses, particularly flaviviruses causing encephalitis, was initiated using domestic horses from localities near wetlands as “sentinel” hosts. A total of 291 blood samples were taken from 172 horses between 2011 and 2012, using paired samples to highlight seroconversion events. A multiplex immunoassay and confirmatory reference serological assays were used to screen sera for immunoglobulin G antibodies against West Nile (WNV), Usutu (USUV), and tick-borne encephalitis (TBEV) viruses. The seroprevalence was 6.4% (confidence interval [95% CI] 3.2%−11.0%) for WNV, 1.2% (95% CI 0.1%−4.1%) for USUV, and 0.6% (95% CI 0.0%−3.2%) for TBEV. In addition, eight horses (4.6%; 95% CI 2.0%−8.9%) were found positive for unidentified flaviviruses. Seroconversion events were detected for WNV and USUV, reflecting recent arboviral infections. These results highlight the active transmission of zoonotic arboviruses in Mallorca wetlands.Keywords
This publication has 30 references indexed in Scilit:
- European Surveillance for West Nile Virus in Mosquito PopulationsInternational Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 2013
- Usutu Virus Persistence and West Nile Virus Inactivity in the Emilia-Romagna Region (Italy) in 2011PLOS ONE, 2013
- Usutu Virus, Italy, 1996Emerging Infectious Diseases, 2013
- Louping Ill in Goats, Spain, 2011Emerging Infectious Diseases, 2012
- Monitoring of the West Nile Virus epidemic in Spain between 2010 and 2011Transboundary and Emerging Diseases, 2011
- West Nile Fever Outbreak in Horses and Humans, Spain, 2010Emerging Infectious Diseases, 2011
- West Nile and Usutu Viruses in Mosquitoes in Spain, 2008–2009The American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, 2011
- Putative New Lineage of West Nile Virus, SpainEmerging Infectious Diseases, 2010
- Present and future arboviral threatsAntiviral Research, 2010
- Migrating Birds and Tickborne Encephalitis VirusEmerging Infectious Diseases, 2007