West Nile Virus

West Nile Virus (WNV) is a mosquito-borne virus that affects humans and other animals, particularly horses. The effects of WNV infection in horses can range from mild to potentially fatal inflammation of the brain.

WNV is a notifiable disease to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Agency (DEFRA) in England and Wales, and in Scotland and Northern Ireland to the equivalent government authority.

Spotting and reporting WNV (DEFRA)

Testing for exclusion of WNV (APHA)

Resources for Vets

WNV - Should we be worried? BEVA Clinical Catch Up

WNV Podcast with Richard Newton BEVApod

WNV Clinical Signs YouTube

Resources for Clients

Fast Facts for Clients

Further Information

Research

Spatial distribution and infection of West Nile virus lineages 1 and 2 in France from 2015 to 2020 (Beck et al, 2021)

The sensitivity of horse surveillance in detecting West Nile and Usutu viruses in central Italy

Volume 53, Issue S56; First published: 24 September 2021

Seroprevalence of equine infectious anaemia virus (EIAV), equine arteritis virus (EAV) and West Nile virus (WNV) in donkeys in eastern Algeria in 2015

Equine Veterinary Journal Volume 53, Issue S56; First published: 24 September 2021

Identification of antiviral molecules against West-Nile virus by an approach combining cell imaging and equine neural cells derived from induced-pluripotent stem cells

Equine Veterinary JournalVolume 53, Issue S56; First published: 24 September 2021