Vector Borne Infections in Italy: Results of the Integrated Surveillance System for West Nile Disease in 2013

Christian Napoli,Silvia Declich,Antonino Bella,Francesca Sauro,Vanessa Martini,Vincenzo Ugo Santucci,Simona Iannetti,Caterina Rizzo,Paolo Calistri,Daria Di Sabatino,Rossana Bruno

doi:10.1155/2015/643439

Abstract

The epidemiology of West Nile disease (WND) is influenced by multiple ecological factors and, therefore, integrated surveillance systems are needed for early detecting the infection and activating consequent control actions. As different animal species have different importance in the maintenance and in the spread of the infection, a multispecies surveillance approach is required. An integrated and comprehensive surveillance system is in place in Italy aiming at early detecting the virus introduction, monitoring the possible infection spread, and implementing preventive measures for human health. This paper describes the integrated surveillance system for WND in Italy, which incorporates data from veterinary and human side in order to evaluate the burden of infection in animals and humans and provide the public health authorities at regional and national levels with the information needed for a fine tune response.

Highlights

IntroductionThe epidemiology of arboviral zoonoses is influenced by multiple ecological factors and, integrated and comprehensive surveillance systems are needed for early detecting the infection and activating consequent control actions
This paper describes the integrated surveillance system for West Nile disease (WND) in Italy, which incorporates data from veterinary and human side in order to evaluate the burden of infection in animals and humans and provide the public health authorities at regional and national levels with the information needed for a fine tune response
The epidemiology of arboviral zoonoses is influenced by multiple ecological factors and, integrated and comprehensive surveillance systems are needed for early detecting the infection and activating consequent control actions

Summary

Introduction

The epidemiology of arboviral zoonoses is influenced by multiple ecological factors and, integrated and comprehensive surveillance systems are needed for early detecting the infection and activating consequent control actions. West Nile virus (WNV) is a Flavivirus belonging to the Japanese encephalitis antigenic complex of the family Flaviviridae. The genus Flavivirus includes other arboviruses, such as St Louis encephalitis virus, Japanese encephalitis virus, Murray Valley virus, Usutu virus, and Kunjin virus. WNV is maintained in nature by birds and is transmitted primarily by the bite of infected mosquitoes acquiring the virus by feeding on infected birds [1]. Mosquitoes can acquire the virus by transovarial transmission or by mating [2]. Migratory birds are strongly suspected to play a significant role in the introduction of WNV from endemic areas into new regions [3]. Horses and other mammals are considered incidental dead-end hosts [1]

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