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Clinical and epidemiological features of West Nile virus equine encephalitis in New South Wales, Australia, 2011
Author(s) -
Read AJ,
Finlaison DS,
Gu X,
Hick PM,
Moloney BJ,
Wright T,
Kirkland PD
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
australian veterinary journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.382
H-Index - 59
eISSN - 1751-0813
pISSN - 0005-0423
DOI - 10.1111/avj.12810
Subject(s) - outbreak , serology , seroprevalence , virology , west nile virus , ataxia , epidemiology , encephalitis , medicine , disease , virus , veterinary medicine , antibody , immunology , pathology , psychiatry
Background Between February and June 2011, more than 300 horses with unexplained neurological disease were observed in New South Wales, Australia. A virulent strain of West Nile virus (WNV NSW2011 ), of Australian origin, was shown to be the cause of many of these cases. Methods We reviewed the clinical descriptions provided by veterinary practitioners and the associated laboratory results. Although there was a range of clinical signs described, ataxia was the only sign that was consistently described in laboratory‐confirmed cases. Results WNV was detected in brain samples by real‐time reverse transcription PCR assay and virus isolation. For serological confirmation of clinical cases, an equine IgM ELISA specific for WNV was shown to be the most effective tool. Conclusion A state‐wide serological survey undertaken after the outbreak indicated that, contrary to expectation, although infection had been widespread, the seroprevalence of antibodies to WNV was very low, suggesting that there could be a significant risk of future disease outbreaks.