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Journal Article > Research

Outbreak of West Nile virus causing severe neurological involvement in children, Nuba Mountains, Sudan, 2002

Depoortere E, Kavle J, Keus K, Zeller H, Murri S, Legros D
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Abstract
An atypical outbreak of West Nile virus (WNV) occurred in Ngorban County, South Kordophan, Sudan, from May to August 2002. We investigated the epidemic and conducted a case-control study in the village of Limon. Blood samples were obtained for cases and controls. Patients with obvious sequelae underwent cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) sampling as well. We used enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and neutralization tests for laboratory diagnosis and identified 31 cases with encephalitis, four of whom died. Median age was 36 months. Bivariate analysis did not reveal any significant association with the risk factors investigated. Laboratory analysis confirmed presence of IgM antibodies caused by WNV in eight of 13 cases, indicative of recent viral infection. The unique aspects of the WNW outbreak in Sudan, i.e. disease occurrence solely among children and the clinical domination of encephalitis, involving severe neurological sequelae, demonstrate the continuing evolution of WNV virulence. The spread of such a virus to other countries or continents cannot be excluded.
Subject Area
outbreaks
DOI
10.1111/j.1365-3156.2004.01253.x
Published Date
01-Jun-2004
PubMed ID
15189465
Languages
English
Journal
Tropical Medicine and International Health
Volume / Issue / Pages
Volume 9, Issue 6
Issue Date
01-Jun-2004
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