West Nile virus detection in horses in three Brazilian states.

Érica Azevedo Costa; Marta Giovanetti; Lilian Silva Catenacci; Vagner Fonseca; Flávia Figueira Aburjaile; FELIPE CAMPOS DE MELO IANI; Marcelo Adriano da Cunha e Silva Vieira; Daniele Freitas Henriques; Daniele Barbosa de Almeida; Maria Isabel Maldonado Coelho Guedes; Beatriz Senra Álvares da Silva Ramos; Aila Solimar Gonçalves Silva; Túlio de Oliveira; Karina Ribeiro Leite Jardim Cavalcante; Noely Fabiana Oliveira de Moura; Alessandro Romano; Carlos F. Campelo de Albuquerque; Lauro César Soares Feitosa; José Joffre Martins Bayeux; Raffaella Bertoni Cavalcanti Teixeira; Osmaikon Lisboa Lobato; Silvokleio da Costa Silva; José Lourenço; Luiz Carlos Junior Alcantara

doi:10.1101/2021.01.06.425363

Abstract

We report genetic evidence of WNV circulation from southern and northeastern Brazilian states isolated from equine red blood cells. In the northeastern state the tenth human case was also detected, presenting neuroinvasive disease compatible with WNV infection. Our analyses demonstrate that much is still unknown on the virus local epidemiology. We advocate for a shift to active surveillance, to ensure adequate control for future epidemics with spill-over potential to humans.

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