OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to evaluate the seroprevalence of West Nile virus (WNV) among the variable population of Eastern Slovakia. METHODS: A serologic survey was conducted using 464 serum samples. The basic demographic, epidemiologic and clinical information was obtained for each serum sample at the time of specimen collection. The presence of antibodies against WNV was investigated using a commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). All the ELISA positive samples were further analysed by a neutralization test with WNV and Usutu virus. RESULTS: Three serum samples (0.65%) from the participants (N = 464) were considered positive for antibodies to WNV. A 29-year-old female was repeatedly exposed to mosquito bites working as a shepherdess and participating in many outdoor activities. Two other females (61 and 76 years old) were treated at the Department of Neurology due to monoparesis of the upper extremity, vertigo; both had a significant epidemiological history with frequent tick and mosquito bites and stay in an endemic region. CONCLUSIONS: Although there was no evidence of WNV infection in the Slovak Republic, the epidemiological situation in the neighbouring countries warrants vigilance and appropriate measures, including the introduction of specific diagnostic tools into clinical practice. The constant monitoring of birds and mosquitoes also seems necessary.

Department of Microbiology and Immunology University of Veterinary Medicine and Pharmacy Kosice Slovak Republic

Department of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases University of Veterinary Medicine Budapest Hungary

Department of Neurology Faculty of Medicine Pavol Jozef Safarik University in Kosice and Louis Pasteur University Hospital Kosice Slovak Republic

Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology of Locomotory Apparatus Faculty of Medicine Pavol Jozef Safarik University in Kosice and Louis Pasteur University Hospital Kosice Slovak Republic

Department of Public Health and Hygiene Faculty of Medicine Pavol Jozef Safarik University in Kosice Kosice Slovak Republic

Department of Stomatology and Maxilofacial Surgery Faculty of Medicine Pavol Jozef Safarik University in Kosice and Louis Pasteur University Hospital Kosice Slovak Republic

Institute for Veterinary Medical Research Centre for Agricultural Research Hungarian Academy of Sciences Budapest Hungary

Viral Zoonoses Emerging and Vector Borne Infectious Group Institute of Virology University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna Austria

References provided by Crossref.org

Mosquito surveillance of West Nile and Usutu viruses in four territorial units of Slovakia and description of a confirmed autochthonous human case of West Nile fever, 2018 to 2019