[Prevalence of West Nile Virus infection in animals from two state zoos Tabasco].
OBJECTIVE
To determine the prevalence of West Nile Virus (WNV) infection in animals, mosquitoes and employees from two zoos of Tabasco state, Mexico.


METHODS
WNV antibodies were detected by blocking ELISA in serum samples from animals. Viral RNA was detected by RT-PCR from mosquitoes and serum samples from employees at "Yum-Ká" zoo.


RESULTS
Seroprevalence in birds was 25.65% (19/74) and 85% (6/7) in reptiles from "La Venta" zoo. Thirty-one percent of birds (50/160) and 34.48% mammals (16/29) at the "Yum-Ká" zoo, were seropositive. All human serum samples from Yum-ká zoo were negative by RT-PCR. A pool of mosquitoes (Culex quinquefasciatus) was positive for WNV.


CONCLUSIONS
The presence of WNV antibodies in animals from both zoos and the detection of viral genome in mosquitoes demonstrate the presence of WNV in this region and indicates a potential risk of infection in animals and humans.
Hidalgo-Martínez
M
M
Centro de Investigaciones sobre Enfermedades Infecciosas, Instituto Nacional de Salud Pública, Cuernavaca, Morelos, México.
Puerto
Fernando I
FI
Farfán-Ale
José Arturo
JA
García-Rejón
Julián E
JE
Rosado-Paredes
Elsy Del P
Edel P
Méndez-Galván
Jorge
J
Figueroa-Ocampo
Raymunda
R
Takashima
Ikuo
I
Ramos
Celso
C
D000818:Animals; D000836:Animals, Zoo; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000097:blood*; D009033:Culicidae / Q000737:chemistry; D006801:Humans; D008800:Mexico; D015995:Prevalence; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000097:blood*; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies; D014901:West Nile Fever / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D014902:West Nile virus / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology
D000914:Antibodies, Viral; D012367:RNA, Viral