The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #57321

James C. Kile, DVM, MPH¹, Nicholas A. Panella, MS², Catherine C. Chow, MD, MPH², Nicholas Komar, ScD², Adam MacNeil, MPH³, and Michel L. Bunning, DVM, MPH². (1) Environmental Health Services Branch, DEEHS, NCEH, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 4770 Buford Hwy NE, Mailstop F-28, Atlanta, GA 30341, 770-488-3571, jkile@cdc.gov, (2) Arbovirus Diseases Branch, DVBID, NCID, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Rampart Road, Fort Collins, CO 80522, (3) Adult Vaccine-Preventable Diseases Branch, ESD, NIP, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Corporate Square, Mailstop E-61, Atlanta, GA 30329

West Nile virus (WNV) is a public health threat and was responsible for a meningoencephalitis epidemic in 2002 in St. Tammany Parish, Louisiana. After a similar epidemic in New York City in 1999, seroprevalence in dogs (approximately 10%) was fourfold greater than in humans, suggesting that domestic animals may be useful sentinel indicators for predicting risk of WNV exposure to humans. We sought to estimate WNV infection rates and assess environmental variables that correlate with WNV seropositivity in dogs and cats. We used a convenience sample of dogs and cats presented to veterinary facilities (home) or animal control shelters (stray). Owner consent and a completed survey were obtained for each pet. Environmental variables, such as home versus stray, were assessed. Serum samples (diluted 1:10) were screened for WNV using plaque reduction neutralization tests. Samples with ³80% neutralizing antibody to WNV were considered flavivirus positive and were end-point titrated. Preliminary results indicate that 116 (26%) of 442 dogs and 15 (11%) of 138 cats were seropositive, (X² p=0.0002). Twenty-eight (37%) of 75 stray and 88 (24%) of 367 home dogs were seropositive, (X² p=0.02). The WNV seroprevalence in domestic dogs and cats in St. Tammany Parish in 2002 was higher than reported for New York City in 1999. Dogs have a higher WNV seroprevalence than cats. Stray dogs have a higher WNV seroprevalence than home dogs, suggesting increased environmental exposure.

Learning Objectives:

• 1. Identify factors that make domestic animals useful sentinels for predicting specific disease risks to humans.
• 2. Identify environmental exposure variables correlating with WNV seropositivity in dogs and cats.

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.