We found a match
Your institution may have access to this item. Find your institution then sign in to continue.
- Title
Exposure of Horses in Israel to West Nile Virus and Usutu Virus.
- Authors
Schvartz, Gili; Tirosh-Levy, Sharon; Erster, Oran; Shenhar, Roni; Levy, Hadas; Bazanow, Barbara; Gelman, Boris; Steinman, Amir
- Abstract
West Nile virus (WNV) and Usutu virus (USUV) are arboviruses transmitted by mosquito vectors. Whereas WNV is endemic in Israel, the Middle East, Europe, and in the Americas, data regarding the prevalence of USUV in the Middle East is limited. While both viruses share similar reservoirs and vectors, exposure of horses in the area to USUV have never been assessed. The aim of this study was to estimate the seroprevalence and co-exposure of WNV and USUV in horses in Israel. A total of 327 serum samples from healthy unvaccinated horses in Israel collected in 2018 were tested for neutralizing antibodies against WNV and USUV. Seroprevalence for neutralizing antibodies against WNV and USUV was 84.1% and 10.8%, respectively. Management and age were significantly associated with WNV and USUV seropositivity. This is the first report describing exposure of horses in Israel to USUV, which indicates that this zoonotic pathogen should be included in the differential diagnosis list of neuroinvasive disease in this country.
- Subjects
ISRAEL; MIDDLE East; WEST Nile virus; SEROPREVALENCE; HORSES; MOSQUITO vectors; VIRUSES
- Publication
Viruses (1999-4915), 2020, Vol 12, Issue 10, p1099
- ISSN
1999-4915
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.3390/v12101099