West Nile viral meningo-encephalitis in Tunisia
Triki, H.; Murri, S.; Le Guenno, B.; Bahri, O.; Hili, K.; Sidhom, M.; Dellagi, K.
Medecine Tropicale Revue du Corps de Sante Colonial 61(6): 487-490
2001
ISSN/ISBN: 0025-682X PMID: 11980397 Document Number: 526730
In autumn 1997 an epidemic outbreak of meningoencephalitis was observed in two coastal districts of Tunisia. A total of 173 cases were recorded with 8 deaths. Detection with IgM capture and indirect IgG ELISAs demonstrated West Nile virus infection in 86% of patients from whom specimens were collected. West Nile is endemic in Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa. Epidemics in humans and horses have also been reported in the Mediterranean region and southern European countries. However this is the first report in Tunisia. Special West Nile virus surveillance is necessary especially in countries at high-risk for repeated introduction of this arbovirus.