Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) and Zika virus (ZIKV) are arthropod-borne viral diseases transmitted through tropical and sub-tropical regions in the same endemic areas with shared mosquito vectors (Aedes, Culex, and Anopheles). Animals may play an important role in the infection as an amplifying host and bridge species, including harboring disease and spreading the virus to humans through the sylvatic transmission cycle.
Our active and passive epidemiological surveillance report JEV antibody detection using the HI test. The highest positive proportion was found in ruminant specimens, including Naemorhedus spp. and Bos gaurus. The lowest positive proportion was wild bird specimens in which the specific antibodies were found in Columba livia, Dendrocygna javanica, Bubulcus ibis, and Ardeidae spp.
In our study of the distribution and interaction of ZIKV in the mammalian host in Thailand during 2015-2017. The molecular detection and specific neutralizing antibodies using plaque reduction neutralization assay. This investigation found the percentage of ZIKA infection was less than 10% among non-human primates including Pig-tailed macaque (Macaca nemestrina), Long-Tailed Macaque (Macaca fascicularis), and Bengal Slow Loris (Nycticebus bengalensis) from 5 various habitats in Thailand.
This information on arboviral infections exhibited an assessment of their viral circulation in Thailand that has been useful for arboviral disease in epidemiological management, control, and prevention of the epidemic.
Kanaporn Poltep
Research Assistant,
The Monitoring and Surveillance center for Zoonotic Diseases in Wildlife and Exotic Animals,
Faculty of Veterinary Science, Mahidol University