engleski

CHICKENS AND HORSES AS SENTINELS FOR EARLY WARNING SYSTEM IN PREVENTION OF HUMAN WEST NILE VIRUS INFECTIONS IN CROATIA

West Nile virus (WNV) infects wide range of vertebrates. Birds are the main reservoir of the virus which is transmitted by mosquitoes to other alimals and humals. Humans and horses are particularly sensitive to the infection, ald can develop neuroinvasive disease even with lethal outcome. We used chickens and horses as sentinels for detection of seasonal incursions of WNV. During a three-year period (2O 13-20 1 5) , a total of I , 7 17 serum samples from sentinel outdoor chickens and 8, 131 serum samples from horses were tested for WNV antibodies using IgG ELISA. In addition, 278 serum samples from humans suspected of WNV infection and 1, 778 serum samples from asymptomatic subjects were tested for WNV. 198 (11.53%) chickens, 665 (8.187o)horses as well as22 (7.9o/o) humans suspected of WNV infection and 15 (O.84%l asymptomatic subjects were found to be positive. A significant correlation in geographical distribution of high WNV seroprevalence in tested animals with human WNV infections was found. Coordinated extensive monitoring of WNV infection in poultry and horses throughout Croatia, as an early warning system, enabled timely anti-epidemic measures, primarily thorough disinsection in affected areas. This resulted in prevention of mass occurrence of human neuroinvasive WNV infections as reported in certain neighbouring countries.

West Nile virus ; poultry ; porses ; public pealth ; Croatia

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