West Nile Virus in New York City
Author Information
Author(s): Nicholas Komar, Nicholas A. Panella, Edward Boyce
Primary Institution: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Hypothesis
Is West Nile virus present in domestic mammals in New York City following the 1999 outbreak?
Conclusion
The study found that approximately 5% of horses and 10% of dogs tested positive for West Nile virus antibodies, suggesting these animals can serve as sentinels for human infection.
Supporting Evidence
- 2% of horses and 5% of dogs tested positive for West Nile virus antibodies.
- More dogs were exposed in the youngest age category than in older categories.
- Stray dogs had a higher seroprevalence than pets, although not significantly.
Takeaway
Some dogs and horses in New York City had antibodies for West Nile virus, which means they were exposed to it, and this could help us understand the risk for humans.
Methodology
Serum samples were collected from healthy horses, stray dogs, and privately owned dogs and cats, and tested for neutralizing antibodies to West Nile virus.
Potential Biases
Potential bias due to the sampling method and the stray status of dogs.
Limitations
Cats were not adequately sampled to determine valid seroprevalence figures.
Participant Demographics
Samples were collected from healthy stabled horses, stray dogs, and privately owned dogs and cats in New York City.
Statistical Information
P-Value
0.026
Confidence Interval
[2.6-9.5]
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
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