Methodology and results of integrated WNV surveillance programmes in Serbia.
Authors: Petrović Tamaš, Šekler Milanko, Petrić Dušan, Lazić Sava, Debeljak Zoran, Vidanović Dejan, Ignjatović Ćupina Aleksandra, Lazić Gospava, Lupulović Diana, Kolarević Mišo, Plavšić Budimir
Journal: PloS one
Summary
# West Nile Virus Surveillance in Serbia: A Multi-Sectoral Approach to Endemic Disease Management Serbia's veterinary authorities established integrated WNV surveillance programmes in 2014–2015 following confirmed viral circulation, deploying a three-pronged surveillance strategy combining serological monitoring of sentinel horses and chickens, virological detection in pooled mosquito samples, and surveillance of wild bird populations across the country. The programmes identified the most intense WNV activity in Vojvodina Province and Belgrade, with positive findings amongst sentinel animals, mosquito pools and wild birds indicating high-risk zones. Notably, WNV detection in animal and vector surveillance typically preceded human clinical cases, demonstrating the programmes' capacity to provide early warning and allow timely public health intervention before human disease escalation. The surveillance methodology proved sufficiently sensitive to detect viral circulation at enzootic level and effectively mapped spatial risk distribution, enabling coordinated mosquito control and clinical preparedness measures. Given that WNV is now established as endemic in Serbia, these integrated surveillance models—particularly the use of sentinel animals and arthropod/avian sampling—provide a practical framework for equine professionals and veterinary services elsewhere in affected regions to predict transmission dynamics and inform targeted biosecurity and vector management strategies in advance of seasonal circulation peaks.
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Practical Takeaways
- •Sentinel horse and chicken monitoring programs can provide early warning of WNV circulation in your region before human cases appear—coordinate with local veterinary authorities to participate in surveillance networks
- •WNV is now endemic in Serbia and similar risk areas; maintain awareness of clinical signs in horses (neurological disease, fever) and report to authorities immediately as this triggers mosquito control responses
- •Integrated surveillance combining animal serology, mosquito testing, and wild bird monitoring is more effective than single-method approaches for detecting WNV at early enzootic levels
Key Findings
- •WNV surveillance programmes using sentinel horses, chickens, mosquitoes, and wild birds successfully detected viral circulation across Serbia between 2014-2015
- •Most intense WNV circulation was observed in seven districts of Vojvodina Province and Belgrade City
- •Detection of WNV in animal surveillance preceded most human cases, demonstrating the utility of veterinary surveillance for public health preparedness
- •WNV is now considered an endemic infection in Serbia requiring ongoing surveillance by veterinary and public health services