Serologic survey of cats and dogs during an epidemic of West Nile virus infection in humans.
OBJECTIVE
To estimate West Nile virus (WNV) infection rates, assess environmental variables that correlated with seropositivity in dogs and cats, and assess whether pets should be considered as possible sentinels for WNV and therefore of potential human exposure.


METHODS
Cross-sectional serosurvey.


METHODS
442 dogs and 138 cats.


METHODS
Serum samples were screened for seropositivity against WNV by use of the plaque reduction neutralization test.


RESULTS
116 (26%) dogs and 13 (9%) cats yielded positive results. The odds of seropositivity against WNV for outdoor-only family dogs were almost 19 times as great as those for indoor-only family dogs and almost twice as great for stray dogs as for family dogs. Family dogs not receiving heartworm medication were 2.5 times as likely to yield positive results for antibodies against WNV as family dogs receiving heartworm medication.


CONCLUSIONS
Seropositivity was greater for outdoor family dogs than for indoor family dogs. Further investigation of the potential use of stray dogs as sentinel indicators for WNV infection and the potential risk of human exposure is warranted.
Kile
James C
JC
CDC, Epidemic Intelligence Service, 1600 Clifton Rd SE, Atlanta, GA 30333, USA.
Panella
Nicholas A
NA
Komar
Nicholas
N
Chow
Catherine C
CC
MacNeil
Adam
A
Robbins
Brent
B
Bunning
Michel L
ML
D000822:Animal Husbandry / Q000379:methods; D000818:Animals; D000829:Animals, Domestic; D000835:Animals, Wild; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000097:blood*; D002371:Cat Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000635:transmission; D002415:Cats; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004196:Disease Outbreaks; D004197:Disease Reservoirs / Q000662:veterinary; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000635:transmission; D004285:Dogs; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008145:Louisiana / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D009500:Neutralization Tests / Q000662:veterinary; D012307:Risk Factors; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies; D014901:West Nile Fever / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000635:transmission / Q000662:veterinary*; D014902:West Nile virus / Q000276:immunology* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D015047:Zoonoses
D000914:Antibodies, Viral