Seroprevalence of West Nile, Usutu and tick-borne encephalitis viruses in equids from south-western France in 2023.

ABSTRACT: The circulation of West Nile virus (WNV), Usutu virus (USUV), and tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) was investigated in south-western France during the first six months of 2023, following the emergence of WNV in equids in Gironde, a département in south-western France, in 2022. Blood samples were collected from 494 horses located in the Gironde département and divided into three zones: the Confluence zone, the Intermediate zone and the Arcachon Basin. Samples were tested for WNV-, USUV- and TBEV-specific antibodies. An overall seroprevalence of 14% (95% CI [11-18%]) for orthoflavivirus antibodies was detected in Gironde. The highest seroprevalence rates for WNV and USUV were observed in the Confluence Zone (9%, 95% CI [6-13%] and 5%, 95% CI [3-8%], respectively), where the type of housi

SUBMITTER: Chevalier N 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12023385 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature