Serological evidence of high West Nile virus exposure in equines of Oman and analysis of associated risk factors
- 1Department of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, College of Agricultural and Marine Sciences, Sultan Qaboos University, Al-khod 123, Muscat, Oman
Abstract
West Nile virus (WNV) is a mosquito-borne pathogen capable of causing encephalitis in humans and horses. Horses share mosquito vectors with humans and seroconvert following infection, making them valuable sentinel species for WNV surveillance. In this cross-sectional study, 453 equines from 52 locations across eight governorates of northern Oman were screened for anti-WNV IgG antibodies using a competitive ELISA, with IgG-positive samples further tested for IgM to detect recent infection. Overall apparent seroprevalence was 47.0% (95% CI 42.3–51.8%; 213/453). No IgM-positive samples were detected, indicating past rather than recent exposure. Multivariable logistic regression identified age and proximity to surface water as independent risk factors for seropositivity: odds increased with age (5.1–10 years: OR 2.47, 95% CI 1.59–3.85; >10 years: OR 4.40, 95% CI 2.56–7.55) and with closer proximity to water bodies (≤ 200 m: OR 2.24, 95% CI 1.27–3.98; 201–500 m: OR 2.43, 95% CI 1.21–4.88). No significant associations were found with breed, sex, or interspecies contact. These findings indicate substantial WNV exposure among equines in northern Oman and support their role as sentinel hosts at the animal-human interface, underscoring the need for integrated One Health surveillance of WNV and related orthoflaviviruses.
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BibTeX
@article{hussain2026serological,
title = {{Serological evidence of high West Nile virus exposure in equines of Oman and analysis of associated risk factors}},
author = {Muhammad Hammad Hussain and Elshafie Ibrahim Elshafie and Atique Ahmed Behan and Khalid Al Habsi and Haytham Ali and Yasmin ElTahir and Alghalya Al Tubi and Abeer Al-Hamrashdi and Nasser Ahmed Nasser Alalawi},
journal = {BMC Veterinary Research},
year = {2026},
month = aug,
doi = {10.1186/s12917-026-05771-7},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1186/s12917-026-05771-7},
note = {CC BY-NC-ND 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Serological evidence of high West Nile virus exposure in equines of Oman and analysis of associated risk factors
AU - Muhammad Hammad Hussain
AU - Elshafie Ibrahim Elshafie
AU - Atique Ahmed Behan
AU - Khalid Al Habsi
AU - Haytham Ali
AU - Yasmin ElTahir
AU - Alghalya Al Tubi
AU - Abeer Al-Hamrashdi
AU - Nasser Ahmed Nasser Alalawi
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/08/06
JO - BMC Veterinary Research
DO - 10.1186/s12917-026-05771-7
UR - https://doi.org/10.1186/s12917-026-05771-7
AB - West Nile virus (WNV) is a mosquito-borne pathogen capable of causing encephalitis in humans and horses. Horses share mosquito vectors with humans and seroconvert following infection, making them valuable sentinel species for WNV surveillance. In this cross-sectional study, 453 equines from 52 locations across eight governorates of northern Oman were screened for anti-WNV IgG antibodies using a competitive ELISA, with IgG-positive samples further tested for IgM to detect recent infection. Overall apparent seroprevalence was 47.0% (95% CI 42.3–51.8%; 213/453). No IgM-positive samples were detected, indicating past rather than recent exposure. Multivariable logistic regression identified age and proximity to surface water as independent risk factors for seropositivity: odds increased with age (5.1–10 years: OR 2.47, 95% CI 1.59–3.85; >10 years: OR 4.40, 95% CI 2.56–7.55) and with closer proximity to water bodies (≤ 200 m: OR 2.24, 95% CI 1.27–3.98; 201–500 m: OR 2.43, 95% CI 1.21–4.88). No significant associations were found with breed, sex, or interspecies contact. These findings indicate substantial WNV exposure among equines in northern Oman and support their role as sentinel hosts at the animal-human interface, underscoring the need for integrated One Health surveillance of WNV and related orthoflaviviruses.
SN - 1746-6148
ER -