West Nile virus endemicity in horses a serosurvey study in Iasi county

Abstract

West Nile virus causes a mosquito-borne zoonotic disease of public health importance. It’s evolution trends in human population is clearly predicted by the seroconversion in horses. The study was carried out in Iași County, Romania and 180 horses were screened for the presence of antibodies against WNV using an IgG competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Of the 184 samples tested, 118 (64.13%) were positive for WNV antibodies. Our findings sustain the hypothesis that WNV is endemic in the County. Determination of the seroprevalence and risk factors that are associated with WNV in horses is essential for adoption of effective prevention strategies and sustain the need for public awareness.