West Nile Virus Seroprevalence in a Selected Donkey Population of Namibia.
Authors: Molini Umberto, Franzo Giovanni, Nel Hannah, Khaiseb Siegfried, Ntahonshikira Charles, Chiwome Bernard, Baines Ian, Madzingira Oscar, Monaco Federica, Savini Giovanni, D'Alterio Nicola
Journal: Frontiers in veterinary science
Summary
West Nile Virus (WNV) poses a significant threat to equine and human health globally, yet its presence and distribution across southern Africa remain poorly documented. Researchers in Namibia employed serology to detect neutralising antibodies against WNV in 260 donkeys, identifying exposure in 47 animals (18.07%), thereby confirming the virus's circulation across all regions of the country with notable geographic variation. The lack of correlation between seroprevalence and animal age or sex suggests sustained, widespread transmission rather than sporadic exposure events. These findings establish donkeys as effective sentinel species for WNV surveillance programmes—particularly valuable given that Namibia's donkey population substantially exceeds that of horses—and indicate the need for vaccination strategies targeting horses of commercial, competition, or breeding importance. Practitioners should be alert to the potential for clinical WNV disease in equines and consider public health implications, especially given the virus's zoonotic capacity and documented human morbidity in affected regions.
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Practical Takeaways
- •WNV is circulating in Namibia; consider vaccination for high-value horses in affected regions, particularly those with economic or genetic importance
- •Donkeys can serve as effective sentinel animals for WNV monitoring in areas where horse populations are small, reducing surveillance costs
- •Monitor for potential human health impacts in endemic regions and implement appropriate public health measures alongside equine management
Key Findings
- •18.07% of sampled Namibian donkeys (47/260) showed neutralizing antibodies against WNV, indicating circulation throughout the country
- •WNV seroprevalence showed apparent regional differences across Namibia
- •No significant association between WNV seropositivity and donkey age or sex
- •Donkeys demonstrated practical utility as sentinel species for WNV surveillance in regions with larger donkey than horse populations