scholarly journals Epidemiology of West Nile Virus Infections in Humans, Italy, 2012–2020: A Summary of Available Evidences

2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 61
Author(s):  
Matteo Riccò ◽  
Simona Peruzzi ◽  
Federica Balzarini
Keyword(s):  
West Nile Virus ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Invasive Disease ◽  
Incidence Rates ◽  
Annual Incidence ◽  
Virus Infections ◽  
West Nile ◽  
Po River ◽  
Air Temperatures ◽  
Sex Risk

In Italy, human cases of West Nile virus (WNV) infection have been recorded since 2008, and seasonal outbreaks have occurred almost annually. In this study, we summarize available evidences on the epidemiology of WNV and West Nile neuro-invasive disease (WNND) in humans reported between 2012 and 2020. In total, 1145 WNV infection cases were diagnosed; of them 487 (42.5%) had WNND. A significant circulation of the pathogen was suggested by studies on blood donors, with annual incidence rates ranging from 1.353 (95% confidence intervals (95% CI) 0.279–3.953) to 19.069 cases per 100,000 specimens (95% CI 13.494–26.174). The annual incidence rates of WNND increased during the study period from 0.047 cases per 100,000 (95% CI 0.031–0.068) in 2012, to 0.074 cases per 100,000 (95% CI 0.054–0.099) in 2020, peaking to 0.377 cases per 100,000 (95% CI 0.330–0.429) in 2018. There were 60 deaths. Cases of WNND were clustered in Northern Italy, particularly in the Po River Valley, during the months of August (56.7%) and September (27.5%). Higher risk for WNND was reported in subjects of male sex (risk ratio (RR) 1.545, 95% CI 1.392–1.673 compared to females), and in older age groups (RR 24.46, 95% CI 15.61–38.32 for 65–74 y.o.; RR 43.7, 95% CI 28.33–67.41 for subjects older than 75 years), while main effectors were identified in average air temperatures (incidence rate ratio (IRR) 1.3219, 95% CI 1.0053–1.7383), population density (IRR 1.0004, 95% CI 1.0001–1.0008), and occurrence of cases in the nearby provinces (IRR 1.0442, 95% CI 1.0340–1.0545). In summary, an enhanced surveillance is vital for the early detection of human cases and the prompt implementation of response measures.

scholarly journals Public Perceptions on Non-Pharmaceutical Interventions for West Nile Virus Infections: A Survey from an Endemic Area in Northern Italy

2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (3) ◽  
pp. 116
Author(s):  
Matteo Riccò ◽  
Simona Peruzzi ◽  
Federica Balzarini
Keyword(s):  
West Nile Virus ◽  
Mosquito Control ◽  
Severe Disease ◽  
Health Belief ◽  
Binary Logistic Regression ◽  
Virus Infections ◽  
West Nile ◽  
Po River ◽  
Control Programs ◽  
Preventive Practices

During the last decade, cases of West Nile Virus (WNV) have occurred in the Emilia Romagna Region (ERR). Even though the notification rates remain relatively low, ranging from 0.06 to 1.83 cases/100,000 inhabitants, the persistent pathogen’s circulation in settings characterized by favorable environmental characteristics suggests that WNV is becoming endemic to the Po River Valley. This study assesses knowledge, attitudes, and preventive practices toward WNV prevention among residents from 10 high-risk municipalities from the provinces of Parma and Reggio Emilia (total population: 82,317 inhabitants, census 2020). A web-based survey, based on the health belief model, was performed during the month of January 2021, with a convenience sampling of 469 participants from a series of closed discussion groups on social media (i.e., 2.1% of the potential responders). A total of 243 participants knew the meaning of WNV: Of them, 61.3% were aware of previous WNV infections in ERR, 76.5% acknowledged WNV infection as a severe one, but only 31.3% expressed any worry about WNV. Our results irregularly report preventive practices, either collective (e.g., draining standing water from items and the environment, 50.7%; spraying pesticides around the home, 33.0%) or individual (e.g., use of skin repellants when going outdoors, 42.6%). In a multivariate analysis, performed through binary logistic regression, participants reporting any worry towards WNV were more likely to characterize WNV as a severe disease (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 20.288, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 5.083–80.972). On the contrary, respondents supporting community mosquito control programs were more likely among people working with animals/livestock (aOR = 13.948, 95%CI = 2.793–69.653), and supporting tax exemptions for mosquito control programs (aOR = 4.069, 95%CI 2.098–7.893). In conclusion, our results suggest that future interventions promoting WNV prevention among residents in ERR should focus on perceptions of vulnerability to WNV, emphasizing the benefits of personal protective behaviors.

scholarly journals Contrasted Epidemiological Patterns of West Nile Virus Lineages 1 and 2 Infections in France from 2015 to 2019

Pathogens ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (11) ◽  
pp. 908 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cécile Beck ◽  
Isabelle Leparc Goffart ◽  
Florian Franke ◽  
Gaelle Gonzalez ◽  
Marine Dumarest ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Spatial Distribution ◽  
West Nile Virus ◽  
Invasive Disease ◽  
Northern Italy ◽  
Breaking Point ◽  
Organ Donors ◽  
West Nile ◽  
Organ Donations ◽  
History Of ◽  
Lineage 2

Since 2015, annual West Nile virus (WNV) outbreaks of varying intensities have been reported in France. Recent intensification of enzootic WNV circulation was observed in the South of France with most horse cases detected in 2015 (n = 49), 2018 (n = 13), and 2019 (n = 13). A WNV lineage 1 strain was isolated from a horse suffering from West Nile neuro-invasive disease (WNND) during the 2015 episode in the Camargue area. A breaking point in WNV epidemiology was achieved in 2018, when WNV lineage 2 emerged in Southeastern areas. This virus most probably originated from WNV spread from Northern Italy and caused WNND in humans and the death of diurnal raptors. WNV lineage 2 emergence was associated with the most important human WNV epidemics identified so far in France (n = 26, including seven WNND cases and two infections in blood and organ donors). Two other major findings were the detection of WNV in areas with no or limited history of WNV circulation (Alpes-Maritimes in 2018, Corsica in 2018–2019, and Var in 2019) and distinct spatial distribution of human and horse WNV cases. These new data reinforce the necessity to enhance French WNV surveillance to better anticipate future WNV epidemics and epizootics and to improve the safety of blood and organ donations.

scholarly journals Environmental Predictors of Human West Nile Virus Infections, Colorado

2007 ◽  
Vol 13 (11) ◽  
pp. 1788-1790 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jennifer L. Patnaik ◽  
Lara Juliusson ◽  
Richard L. Vogt
Keyword(s):  
West Nile Virus ◽  
Virus Infections ◽  
Environmental Predictors ◽  
West Nile ◽  
Human West Nile Virus

scholarly journals Increase in human West Nile and Usutu virus infections, Austria, 2018

2018 ◽  
Vol 23 (43) ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephan W. Aberle ◽  
Jolanta Kolodziejek ◽  
Christof Jungbauer ◽  
Karin Stiasny ◽  
Judith H. Aberle ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
West Nile Virus ◽  
Blood Donors ◽  
Blood Donation ◽  
Virus Infections ◽  
West Nile Fever ◽  
West Nile ◽  
Usutu Virus ◽  
Neuroinvasive Disease ◽  
Human West Nile Virus ◽  
Imported Cases

Between 28 June and 17 September 2018, 27 cases of human West Nile virus infections were recorded in Austria; four cases of West Nile neuroinvasive disease, 11 cases of West Nile fever, six infections detected by blood donation screening and six imported cases. In addition, 18 cases of human Usutu virus infections (all blood donors) were recorded. This is the highest number of annual infections recorded in Austria since the introduction of both viruses.

scholarly journals Emergence of West Nile virus infections in humans in Turkey, 2010 to 2011

2012 ◽  
Vol 17 (21) ◽  
Author(s):  
H Kalaycioglu ◽  
G Korukluoglu ◽  
A Ozkul ◽  
O Oncul ◽  
S Tosun ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
West Nile Virus ◽  
Mosquito Control ◽  
Epidemiological Studies ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Lower Activity ◽  
Virus Infections ◽  
West Nile ◽  
Notifiable Diseases ◽  
Routine Surveillance

In 2010, 47 human cases of West Nile virus (WNV) infection, including 12 laboratory-confirmed and 35 probable cases, were identified in Turkey. These were the first cases detected during routine surveillance. The patients were from 15 provinces, mainly located in the western part of the country. Incidence was 0.19/100,000 with a maximum of 1.39 in Sakarya province. Forty of the total 47 cases showed neuroinvasive manifestation. Median age was 58 years with a range of four to 86. Ten of the patients died. Enhanced surveillance in humans and animals and mosquito control measures were implemented. The WNV infections were included in the national notifiable diseases list as of April 2011. In 2011, three probable and two confirmed cases of WNV infection were diagnosed in provinces where infections had been detected in the previous year, supporting a lower activity than 2010. However, detection of WNV infections in humans in 2010 and 2011 consecutively, may indicate that WNV has become endemic in the western part of Turkey. Field epidemiological studies were undertaken to understand more about the nature of infection in Turkey.

scholarly journals A 15 Year Evaluation of West Nile Virus in Wisconsin: Effects on Wildlife and Human Health

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (5) ◽  
pp. 1767
Author(s):  
Johnny A. Uelmen ◽  
Charles Brokopp ◽  
Jonathan Patz
Keyword(s):  
West Nile Virus ◽  
Human Population ◽  
Mammalian Species ◽  
Keystone Species ◽  
The United States ◽  
Positive Influence ◽  
Incidence Rates ◽  
Rural Regions ◽  
West Nile ◽  
Statewide Assessment

West Nile virus (WNV) is the most important and widespread mosquito-borne virus in the United States (U.S.). WNV has the ability to spread rapidly and effectively, infecting more than 320 bird and mammalian species. An examination of environmental conditions and the health of keystone species may help predict the susceptibility of various habitats to WNV and reveal key risk factors, annual trends, and vulnerable regions. Since 2002, WNV outbreaks in Wisconsin varied by species, place, and time, significantly affected by unique climatic, environmental, and geographical factors. During a 15 year period, WNV was detected in 71 of 72 counties, resulting in 239 human and 1397 wildlife cases. Controlling for population and sampling efforts in Wisconsin, rates of WNV are highest in the western and northwestern rural regions of the state. WNV incidence rates were highest in counties with low human population densities, predominantly wetland, and at elevations greater than 1000 feet. Resources for surveillance, prevention, and detection of WNV were lowest in rural counties, likely resulting in underestimation of cases. Overall, increasing mean temperature and decreasing precipitation showed positive influence on WNV transmission in Wisconsin. This study incorporates the first statewide assessment of WNV in Wisconsin.

scholarly journals Use of Competition ELISA for Monitoring of West Nile Virus Infections in Horses in Germany

2013 ◽  
Vol 10 (8) ◽  
pp. 3112-3120 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ute Ziegler ◽  
Joke Angenvoort ◽  
Christine Klaus ◽  
Uschi Nagel-Kohl ◽  
Claudia Sauerwald ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
West Nile Virus ◽  
Virus Infections ◽  
West Nile ◽  
Competition Elisa
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