Spatial and Temporal Distribution of West Nile Virus in Horses in Israel (1997–2013) - from Endemic to Epidemics

Aharonson-Raz, Karin; Lichter-Peled, Anat; Tal, Sara; Gelman, Boris; Cohen, Dani; Klement, Eyal; Steinman, Amir

doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0113149

Cited by 33 publications

(36 citation statements)

References 54 publications

(58 reference statements)

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“…A study performed in southern Florida demonstrated that widespread drought in the spring followed by wetting greatly increased the probability of a West Nile virus (WNV) epidemic 2–6 months later (Shaman et al., ). Similarly, we have previously shown in Israel that significantly lower spring precipitation occurred during the years with increased WNV human cases (2000 and 2005) and 1 year prior to them (1999 and 2004) as compared to the rest of the years from 1997 to 2007 (Aharonson‐Raz et al., ). Furthermore, in 2011, an event of drought, characterized by the greatest deficit in accumulated rainfall in May, was recorded in north‐western Europe, particularly in areas in which Schmallenberg virus (SBV) was subsequently reported (Calzolari and Albieri, ).…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 68%

Analysis of the Association of Climate, Weather and Herd Immunity with the Spread of Equine Encephalosis Virus in Horses in Israel

Aharonson-Raz

Steinman

Kavkovsky

et al. 2015

Transbound Emerg Dis

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It is claimed that the distribution of Culicoides-borne viruses is highly influenced by climate. Equine encephalosis virus (EEV) is a Culicoides-borne orbivirus which affects horses and was recently found to be endemic in Israel. To test whether climate is a crucial factor in the geographical distribution of EEV, we collected blood samples from horses in Israel during the years 2002, 2007 and 2010 and tested them for the abundance of antibodies to EEV. Samples were also collected in 2011 from horses that were seronegative to the virus in 2010, to determine the rate of infection with EEV. It was found that seroprevalence fluctuated between the years and that in each year it was highest in a different climatic region. Interestingly, analysis of infection rate at the different farms showed a negative association with seroprevalence at prior observations. In addition, analysis of precipitation preceding the outbreak of EEV which occurred during 2008 revealed that an extremely dry period existed several months prior to the febrile outbreak with the average precipitation of spring 2008 being significantly lower than the average spring precipitation of the years 1997-2009. It is therefore conjectured that exposure to EEV is not climate specific. Rather, it is highly influenced by herd immunity and weather fluctuations which might change annually. This finding may have important implications for the prediction of the abundance of Culicoides-borne viruses in endemic regions.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 68%

Analysis of the Association of Climate, Weather and Herd Immunity with the Spread of Equine Encephalosis Virus in Horses in Israel

Aharonson-Raz

Steinman

Kavkovsky

et al. 2015

Transbound Emerg Dis

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“…), and the method used for detection of specific antibodies was based on this isolate (Aharonson‐Raz et al . ). It is possible that other EEV serotypes exist in the area, but since none was isolated it was impossible to construct a valid test for their detection.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 97%

“…A similar trend was also found in the seroprevalence of West Nile virus, another arbovirus prevalent in Israel and transmitted by mosquitoes (Aharonson‐Raz et al . ). Housing was also found to influence exposure to EEV.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 97%

Seroprevalence and risk factor analysis for exposure to equine encephalosis virus in Israel, Palestine and Jordan

Tirosh-Levy

Gelman²,

Zivotofsky³

et al. 2017

Vet Med Sci

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Equine encephalosis virus (EEV) is an orbivirus transmitted by Culicoides species. Most infected horses show mild clinical signs and mortality is usually very low. EEV is closely related and similarly transmitted to other, more pathogenic and economically important, orbiviruses such as African horse sickness virus (AHSV), bluetongue virus (BTV) and epizootic haemorrhagic disease viruses (EHDV), and may serve as an indicator for possible transmission of the latter. Israel has been reported to be endemic for EEV since 2001. This study was initiated to re‐evaluate the current seroprevalence and risk factors for EEV exposure in Israel, and to assess, for the first time, the seroprevalence of EEV in Palestine and Jordan. Three hundred and sixteen serum samples were collected from apparently healthy horses at 21 farms in Israel, 66 horses at nine farms in Palestine and 100 horses at three farms in Jordan. The presence of EEV antibodies was detected by a serum neutralization assay. Seroprevalence of EEV was 58.2% (184/316 horses) in Israel, 48.5% (32/66 horses) in Palestine and 2% (2/100 horses) in Jordan. Seroprevalence in Jordan was significantly lower than in Israel and Palestine (P < 0.001). The farm (P < 0.001) and horse age (P = 0.003) were found as significant risk factors for EEV exposure in Israel in multivariable statistical analysis. The results of this study further demonstrate that EEV is no longer limited to South Africa and is endemic in both Israel and Palestine and horses in Jordan were also exposed to this virus emphasizing the potential of pathogens to invade new ecological niches.

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“…The Czech Republic represents the northern limit of the virus in Europe at 48°47′N . Predictions for the future of WNV in Europe are unclear beyond the fact that the virus is now endemic in many areas, apparently with the aid of frequent reintroduction in locations along major bird migration routes . Persistent human infection is expected.…”

Section: Potential For Range Expansionmentioning

confidence: 99%

West Nile virus, climate change, and circumpolar vulnerability

Hoover

Barker

2016

WIREs Climate Change

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Climate has strong impacts on the spatial ranges of vector-borne infectious diseases as well as the timing and intensity of disease outbreaks; these and shifting challenges to human health driven by future climate change are critical concerns. Many diseases of tropical origin, including West Nile virus (WNV), are sensitive to climate and likely to change their distributions in the coming decades. The 1999 outbreak of WNV in North America is an example of rapid viral adaptation to a new geographic area while recent outbreaks in Europe demonstrate the capacity of multiple viral strains to expand rapidly. WNV is one of the most widely distributed arboviruses and has displayed high rates of mutability, adaptability, and virulence. Northward expansion of WNV is happening in Europe and North America and may make WNV an increasingly worrying health risk at higher latitudes. Circumpolar northward expansion of WNV's enzootic range appears unlikely over the coming century-at least for sustained enzootic transmission-but isolated and ephemeral transmission events might occur if the virus were to be introduced by migrating birds during warm months. Human populations in this area are at greater risk for health impacts from WNV transmission due to limited healthcare in rural areas, higher underlying morbidity in indigenous populations, and prolonged human-environment interactions (in populations engaging in traditional lifestyles). This review presents a multidisciplinary synthesis on WNV and climate change, potential for WNV expansion, and the vulnerability of the circumpolar north.

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Spatial and Temporal Distribution of West Nile Virus in Horses in Israel (1997–2013) - from Endemic to Epidemics

Cited by 33 publications

References 54 publications

Analysis of the Association of Climate, Weather and Herd Immunity with the Spread of Equine Encephalosis Virus in Horses in Israel

Analysis of the Association of Climate, Weather and Herd Immunity with the Spread of Equine Encephalosis Virus in Horses in Israel

Seroprevalence and risk factor analysis for exposure to equine encephalosis virus in Israel, Palestine and Jordan

West Nile virus, climate change, and circumpolar vulnerability

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