West Nile Virus in Wildlife and Nonequine Domestic Animals, South Africa, 2010-2018.

Jumari Steyn,Johan Steyl,Peter Buss,Jan G Myburgh,Brianna R Beechler,Voula I Stivaktas,June Williams,Elizabeth Botha,Marietjie Venter

doi:10.3201/eid2512.190572

Abstract

West Nile virus (WNV) lineage 2 is associated with neurologic disease in horses and humans in South Africa. Surveillance in wildlife and nonequine domestic species during 2010–2018 identified WNV in 11 (1.8%) of 608 animals with severe neurologic and fatal infections, highlighting susceptible hosts and risk for WNV epizootics in Africa.

Highlights

Domestic animalsClinical signs noted in West Nile virus (WNV)-positive animals included neurologic (4/8, 50%) and respiratory (3/8, 38%); 2 animals with neurologic signs had pyrexia (Table 2)
West Nile virus (WNV) lineage 2 is associated with neurologic disease in horses and humans in South Africa
The Study A total of 608 specimens comprising central nervous system tissue, visceral organs, and whole blood from wildlife; nonequine domestic animals; and birds with neurologic, febrile, or respiratory signs or sudden unexpected death were submitted to the Centre for Viral Zoonoses, University of Pretoria (Pretoria, South Africa), during February 2010– June 2018

Summary

Domestic animals

Clinical signs noted in WNV-positive animals included neurologic (4/8, 50%) and respiratory (3/8, 38%); 2 animals with neurologic signs had pyrexia (Table 2). The lion (ZRU297_17) and giraffe (ZRU87_18) were found dead (2/11, 18%); no clinical signs were reported. WNV is reported to cause neurologic symptoms [11] but has not been associated with stillbirths. The roan antelope (ZRU61_16_2), the domestic bovid (ZRU181_12_1), and the sheep fetus represented WNV-positive specimens among a cluster of animals with similar signs potentially representing larger outbreaks in these areas. Despite extensive screening for arboviruses, the causative link between the clinical presentation of the various species and the evidence of WNV infection must be regarded with caution because we could not exclude all other possible infectious and noninfectious etiologies. Areas where West Nile virus infections were detected in wildlife and nonequine domestic animals, South Africa, 2010–2018.

Congenital deformities

Findings

Conclusions