Serologic Evidence of West Nile Virus Infection among Humans, Morocco

Rhaffouli, Hicham El; Harrak, Mehdi El; Lotfi, Chafiqa; Boukhrissi, Fatima El; Bajjou, Tahar; Laraqui, Abdelilah; Hilali, Farida; Kenfaoui, Mouna; Lahlou-Amine, Idriss

doi:10.3201/eid1805.110826

Cited by 18 publications

(18 citation statements)

References 3 publications

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“…The seroprevalence rate obtained in our study was higher than that reported in the region of Meknes, but it was lower than the rates found in the regions of Rabat and Kenitra (Table 2) [4]. In addition, the antibody titers found among participants from Dakhla were higher than those reported from Meknes and Rabat, but lower than those found in Kenitra.…”

Section: Discussioncontrasting

confidence: 77%

“…Nevertheless, only one case of human infection was reported in 1996 [2]. However, a serological study confirmed the occurrence of WNV infection among humans with prevalence rates ranging from 4.7% to 18.8% [4]. All these data were from northern Morocco, which is the wettest region of the country and is regarded as the endemic area for WNV infections.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Serological evidence of West Nile Virus infection among humans in the southern Provinces of Morocco

Rhaffouli

Lahlou-Amine

Loutfi³

et al. 2013

J Infect Dev Ctries

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Introduction: The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of West Nile Virus infection in the southern provinces of Morocco. Methodology: A total of 250 sera, collected during 2012 in the province of Dakhla, were analyzed by microneutralisation assay. Results: WNV-neutralizing antibodies were detected in 13 samples (5.2%). The participants with WNV-specific antibodies were significantly younger than the rest of the population (p = 0.009). The positivity rate was higher among women (6.3%) than men (3.6%) (p = 0.26). Conclusions: This is the first serological evidence of WNV infection among humans in the southern provinces of Morocco.

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Section: Discussioncontrasting

confidence: 77%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Serological evidence of West Nile Virus infection among humans in the southern Provinces of Morocco

Rhaffouli

Lahlou-Amine

Loutfi³

et al. 2013

J Infect Dev Ctries

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“…) and in 2011 by the detection of neutralizing antibodies in 59 among 499 tested persons (11.8%) close to Meknes, Rabat and Kenitra cities (El Rhaffouli et al . ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 97%

“…The circulation of West Nile virus has been reported in wild birds in north-east Kenitra city in 2008, in particular anti-WNV antibodies were detected in blood samples from Blackbirds (Turdus merula), House Sparrows (Passer domesticus) and Cetti's Warbler (Cettia cetti) (Figuerola et al 2008). Evidence of human infection was confirmed in 1996 by the death of one person due to West Nile neuroinvasive disease (El Harrak et al 1997) and in 2011 by the detection of neutralizing antibodies in 59 among 499 tested persons (11.8%) close to Meknes, Rabat and Kenitra cities (El Rhaffouli et al 2012).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Seroprevalence of West Nile virus in horses in different Moroccan regions

Benjelloun

Harrak

Calistri

et al. 2017

Veterinary Medicine & Sci

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West Nile virus‐associated disease is one of the most widespread vector‐borne diseases in the world. In Morocco, the first cases were reported in horses in 1996 and the disease re‐emerged in 2003 and in 2010. The objective of this work was to study the epidemiological situation of WNV‐associated infection in Morocco, by quantifying the seroprevalence of anti‐WNV IgM and IgG antibodies in horses in different bioclimatic regions‐zones of Morocco in 2011. During the months of May, June and July 2011, 840 serum samples were collected from horses in four regions characterized by different environmental and climatic features such as altitude, temperature and precipitation. These environmental‐climatic regions are: the Atlantic plateaus of the Gharb and pre‐Rif region, the North Atlasic plains and plateaus region, the Atlas Mountains and pre‐Atlas region and the plains and plateaus of the Oriental region. All samples were tested for the anti‐WNV IgG antibodies by ELISA and positive sera were confirmed by virus neutralization (VN). An anti‐WNV antibody prevalence map was developed. A total of 261 samples (31%) were found positive by both techniques. The prevalence of the infection was higher in the Atlantic plateaus of the Gharb and pre‐Rif region, in the northern part of the country. Available data concerning the previous WNV‐associated disease outbreaks in Morocco and the preliminary results of this serological survey suggest that the Moroccan northwest is the region at highest risk for WNV circulation. In this region, the climate is more humid with higher rainfall than other regions and milder winter temperatures exist. In the same area, the presence of migratory bird settlements may affect the risk of virus introduction and amplification.

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“…In 2011, evidence of human infection in Morocco was confirmed serologically by the detection of WND neutralizing bodies in 59 ( P = 11.8%) among 499 healthy persons living in the vicinities of Meknes, Rabat and Kenitra cities (centre and north‐west) (El Rhaffouli et al., ). The prevalence varied between 4.7 and 28% depending on the distance from the coastline.…”

Section: Virus Isolationmentioning

confidence: 98%

West Nile Disease Epidemiology in North-West Africa: Bibliographical Review

Benjelloun

Harrak²,

Belkadi

2015

Transbound Emerg Dis

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West Nile fever (WNF) or West Nile disease (WND) is a mosquito-borne viral disease that can affect birds, humans and horses. West Nile virus (WNV) is a member of the genus Flavivirus in the family Flaviviridae. WNV is maintained in a mosquito-bird-mosquito transmission cycle, whereas humans and horses are considered dead-end hosts. In human and horses, symptoms range from unapparent infection to mild febrile illness, meningitis, encephalitis or death. WNV has a wide geographical range that includes portions of Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia (Kunjin virus), and in North, Central and South America. Migratory birds are thought to be primarily responsible for virus dispersal, including reintroduction of WNV from endemic areas into regions that experience sporadic outbreaks (Fields Virology, 2001, Lippincott Williams and Wilkins, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA, 1043-1125). The occurrence of disease in humans and animals along with birds and mosquitoes surveillance for WNV activity demonstrates that the virus range has dramatically expanded including North, Central and South America as well as Europe and countries facing the Mediterranean Basin. WND infection in humans has been reported in Morocco in 1996 (Virologie, 1, 1997, 248), in Tunisia in 2007 (Ann. N. Y. Acad., 951, 2001, 117) (Med. Trop., 61, 2001, 487) and 2003 (Epidémiologie de la fièvre West Nile, 2012, Thèse de doctorat, Université Montpellier II, Sciences et techniques du Langueduc, Montpellier, France), and in Algeria in 1994 (Rev. Sci. Tech., 31, 2012, 829). Outbreaks of equine encephalitis have been also reported in Morocco in 1996 (Bull. OIE, 11, 1996, 867), in 2003 (Emerg. Infect. Dis., 11, 2005, 306) and in 2010 (World Animal Health Information Database. WAHID, 2010). Serological evidence of WNV has been demonstrated in the three countries in many species. The aim of this review was to assess the epidemiological situation of WND in north-west Africa comprising Morocco, Algeria and Tunisia, with an updated literature review based on of human cases and equine outbreaks reports as well as serological studies in these countries.

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Serologic Evidence of West Nile Virus Infection among Humans, Morocco

Cited by 18 publications

References 3 publications

Serological evidence of West Nile Virus infection among humans in the southern Provinces of Morocco

Serological evidence of West Nile Virus infection among humans in the southern Provinces of Morocco

Seroprevalence of West Nile virus in horses in different Moroccan regions

West Nile Disease Epidemiology in North-West Africa: Bibliographical Review

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