Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus, southern Mexico

José G. Estrada-Franco, Roberto Navarro-Lopez, Jerome E. Freier, Dionicio Cordova, Tamara Clements, Abelardo Moncayo, Wenli Kang, Carlos Gomez-Hernandez, Gabriela Rodriguez-Dominguez, George V. Ludwig, Scott C. Weaver

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

39 Scopus citations

Abstract

Equine epizootics of Venezuelan equine encephalitis (VEE) occurred in the southern Mexican states of Chiapas in 1993 and Oaxaca in 1996. To assess the impact of continuing circulation of VEE virus (VEEV) on human and animal populations, serologic and viral isolation studies were conducted in 2000 to 2001 in Chiapas State. Human serosurveys and risk analyses indicated that long-term endemic transmission of VEEV occurred among villages with seroprevalence levels of 18% to 75% and that medical personnel had a high risk for VEEV exposure. Seroprevalence in wild animals suggested cotton rats as possible reservoir hosts in the region. Virus isolations from sentinel animals and genetic characterizations of these strains indicated continuing circulation of a subtype IE genotype, which was isolated from equines during, the recent VEE outbreaks. These data indicate long-term enzootic and endemic VEEV circulation in the region and continued risk for disease in equines and humans.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)2113-2121
Number of pages9
JournalEmerging infectious diseases
Volume10
Issue number12
DOIs
StatePublished - Dec 2004

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Epidemiology
  • Microbiology (medical)
  • Infectious Diseases

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