West Nile Virus Isolation from Equines in Argentina, 2006

Abstract

West Nile virus (WNV) was isolated from the brains of 3 horses that died from encephalitis in February 2006. The horses were from different farms in central Argentina and had not traveled outside the country. This is the first isolation of WNV in South America. S ince West Nile virus (WNV) was detected in the Western Hemisphere in 1999 (1), the National Service of Animal Health (SENASA) has restricted the entry of WNV-susceptible species into the country, and the National Reference Center for Dengue and Arboviral Diagnosis of Argentina, Instituto Nacional de Enfermedades Virales Humanas (INEVH "Dr. Julio I. Maiztegui") incorporated new laboratory techniques, performed multidisciplinary training, and implemented laboratory WNV surveillance for birds, equines, and humans.