Antibodies to West Nile virus in feral swine from Florida, Georgia, and Texas, USA.
West Nile virus (WNV) exposure has not yet been reported in feral swine (Sus scrofa) despite the broad geographic range and population density of this species. The objectives of this study were to determine the prevalence of antibodies to WNV in feral pigs, and to evaluate serologic diagnostics as applied to this species. Feral pig serum from three states was evaluated for antibodies to WNV. The overall WNV seroprevalence rate for 222 samples collected in 2001-2004 was 22.5%. Seroprevalence rates in Florida, Georgia, and Texas were 17.2%, 26.3%, and 20.5%, respectively. The results of this study demonstrate that feral pigs could represent useful mammalian sentinels of WNV.
Gibbs
Samantha E J
SE
Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study, Department of Population Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia 30602, USA. sgibbs@vet.uga.edu
Marlenee
Nicole L
NL
Romines
Janean
J
Kavanaugh
Darrell
D
Corn
Joseph L
JL
Stallknecht
David E
DE
D000818:Animals; D000835:Animals, Wild / Q000821:virology; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D005431:Florida / Q000453:epidemiology; D005845:Georgia / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D018571:Sentinel Surveillance / Q000662:veterinary; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies; D034421:Sus scrofa / Q000821:virology; D013553:Swine Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology*; D013781:Texas / Q000453:epidemiology; D014901:West Nile Fever / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D014902:West Nile virus / Q000276:immunology*
D000914:Antibodies, Viral