Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
West Nile virus outbreak in humans and epidemiological surveillance, west Andalusia, Spain, 2016.
- Journal:
- Euro surveillance : bulletin Europeen sur les maladies transmissibles = European communicable disease bulletin
- Year:
- 2018
- Authors:
- López-Ruiz, Nuria et al.
- Affiliation:
- Surveillance Department · Spain
Plain-English summary
In 2016, there was an outbreak of West Nile virus (WNV) in humans in Andalusia, Spain, marking the second time this had happened in the area. The virus is usually monitored from April to November, as this is when the mosquitoes that spread it are most active. Since 2010, WNV has been found in horses and has caused infections in people, with three confirmed cases reported between August and September of 2016. To manage the outbreak, local health authorities implemented measures to control the spread of the virus. Ongoing surveillance is crucial to quickly identify and respond to any future outbreaks.
Abstract
In Andalusia, Spain, West Nile virus (WNV) surveillance takes place from April to November, during the active vector period. Within this area seroconversion to this virus was evidenced in wild birds in 2004, affecting horses and two humans for the first time in 2010. Since 2010, the virus has been isolated every year in horses, and national and regional surveillance plans have been updated with the epidemiological changes found. WNV is spreading rapidly throughout southern Europe and has caused outbreaks in humans. Here we describe the second WNV outbreak in humans in Andalusia, with three confirmed cases, which occurred between August and September 2016, and the measures carried out to control it. Surveillance during the transmission season is essential to monitor and ensure prompt identification of any outbreaks.
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Search related cases →Original publication: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29637890/