Seroprevalence of West Nile Virus in feral horses on Sheldon National Wildlife Refuge, Nevada, United States

American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene
By: , and 

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Abstract

We screened 1,397 feral horses (Equus caballus) on Sheldon National Wildlife Refuge, Nevada, United States, for IgM and IgG against flavivirus during 2004–2006, 2008, and 2009. Positive serum samples were tested for neutralizing antibodies to West Nile virus (WNV) and St. Louis encephalitis virus (SLEV). One animal was positive for antibody against WNV in 2004, but all others tested in 2004–2006 were negative. In 2008 and 2009, we found evidence of increasing seropositive horses with age, whereas seroprevalence of WNV decreased from 19% in 2008 to 7.2% in 2009. No horses were positive for antibody against SLEV. Being unvaccinated, feral horses can be useful for WNV surveillance.

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Publication type Article
Publication Subtype Journal Article
Title Seroprevalence of West Nile Virus in feral horses on Sheldon National Wildlife Refuge, Nevada, United States
Series title American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene
DOI 10.4269/ajtmh.2011.10-0467
Volume 84
Issue 4
Year Published 2011
Language English
Publisher The American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene
Publisher location Deerfield, IL
Contributing office(s) National Wildlife Health Center
Description 4 p.
First page 637
Last page 640
Time Range Start 2004-01-01
Time Range End 2009-12-31
Country United States
State Nevada
Other Geospatial Sheldon National Wildlife Refuge
Online Only (Y/N) N
Additional Online Files (Y/N) N
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