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Marsland MJ, Thomson TN, O'Brien HM, Peach E, Bellette J, Humphreys N, McKeon CA, Cross W, Moso MA, Batty M, Nicholson S, Karapanagiotidis T, Lim CK, Williamson DA, Winkler N, Koirala A, Macartney K, Glynn-Robinson A, Stewart T, Minko C, Snow KJ, Black J, Friedman ND. Serosurvey for Japanese encephalitis virus antibodies following an outbreak in an immunologically naïve population, Victoria, 2022: a cross-sectional study. Med J Aust 2024. [PMID: 38803004 DOI: 10.5694/mja2.52344] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2023] [Accepted: 12/04/2023] [Indexed: 05/29/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To investigate the distribution and prevalence of Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) antibody (as evidence of past infection) in northern Victoria following the 2022 Japanese encephalitis outbreak, seeking to identify groups of people at particular risk of infection; to investigate the distribution and prevalence of antibodies to two related flaviviruses, Murray Valley encephalitis virus (MVEV) and West Nile virus Kunjin subtype (KUNV). STUDY DESIGN Cross-sectional serosurvey (part of a national JEV serosurveillance program). SETTING Three northern Victorian local public health units (Ovens Murray, Goulburn Valley, Loddon Mallee), 8 August - 1 December 2022. PARTICIPANTS People opportunistically recruited at pathology collection centres and by targeted recruitment through community outreach and advertisements. People vaccinated against or who had been diagnosed with Japanese encephalitis were ineligible for participation, as were those born in countries where JEV is endemic. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Seroprevalence of JEV IgG antibody, overall and by selected factors of interest (occupations, water body exposure, recreational activities and locations, exposure to animals, protective measures). RESULTS 813 participants were recruited (median age, 59 years [interquartile range, 42-69 years]; 496 female [61%]); 27 were JEV IgG-seropositive (3.3%; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.2-4.8%) (median age, 73 years [interquartile range, 63-78 years]; 13 female [48%]); none were IgM-seropositive. JEV IgG-seropositive participants were identified at all recruitment locations, including those without identified cases of Japanese encephalitis. The only risk factors associated with JEV IgG-seropositivity were age (per year: prevalence odds ratio [POR], 1.07; 95% CI, 1.03-1.10) and exposure to feral pigs (POR, 21; 95% CI, 1.7-190). The seroprevalence of antibody to MVEV was 3.0% (95% CI, 1.9-4.5%; 23 of 760 participants), and of KUNV antibody 3.3% (95% CI, 2.1-4.8%; 25 of 761). CONCLUSIONS People living in northern Victoria are vulnerable to future JEV infection, but few risk factors are consistently associated with infection. Additional prevention strategies, including expanding vaccine eligibility, may be required to protect people in this region from Japanese encephalitis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Madeleine J Marsland
- Victorian Department of Health, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- National Centre for Epidemiology and Population Health, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT
| | - Tilda N Thomson
- Victorian Department of Health, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- National Centre for Epidemiology and Population Health, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Michael A Moso
- Victorian Infectious Diseases Reference Laboratory, Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Royal Melbourne Hospital, Melbourne, VIC
| | - Mitchell Batty
- Victorian Infectious Diseases Reference Laboratory, Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Royal Melbourne Hospital, Melbourne, VIC
| | - Suellen Nicholson
- Victorian Infectious Diseases Reference Laboratory, Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Royal Melbourne Hospital, Melbourne, VIC
| | - Theo Karapanagiotidis
- Victorian Infectious Diseases Reference Laboratory, Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Royal Melbourne Hospital, Melbourne, VIC
| | - Chuan Kok Lim
- Victorian Infectious Diseases Reference Laboratory, Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Royal Melbourne Hospital, Melbourne, VIC
| | - Deborah A Williamson
- Victorian Infectious Diseases Reference Laboratory, Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Royal Melbourne Hospital, Melbourne, VIC
| | - Noni Winkler
- National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance, Sydney Children's Hospitals Network, Sydney, NSW
| | - Archana Koirala
- National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance, Sydney Children's Hospitals Network, Sydney, NSW
| | - Kristine Macartney
- National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance, Sydney Children's Hospitals Network, Sydney, NSW
| | - Anna Glynn-Robinson
- National Centre for Epidemiology and Population Health, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT
| | - Tony Stewart
- National Centre for Epidemiology and Population Health, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT
| | - Corinna Minko
- Victorian Department of Health, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Kathryn J Snow
- Victorian Department of Health, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Jim Black
- Victorian Department of Health, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
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Fanok S, Monis PT, Keegan AR, King BJ. The detection of Japanese encephalitis virus in municipal wastewater during an acute disease outbreak. J Appl Microbiol 2023; 134:lxad275. [PMID: 37977849 DOI: 10.1093/jambio/lxad275] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2023] [Revised: 11/08/2023] [Accepted: 11/15/2023] [Indexed: 11/19/2023]
Abstract
AIM To demonstrate the capability of wastewater-based surveillance (WBS) as a tool for detecting potential cases of Japanese Encephalitis Virus (JEV) infection in the community. METHODS AND RESULTS In this study, we explore the potential of WBS to detect cases of JEV infection by leveraging from an established SARS-CoV-2 wastewater surveillance program. We describe the use of two reverse transcriptase quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RTqPCR) assays targeting JEV to screen archived samples from two wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs). JEV was detected in wastewater samples collected during a timeframe coinciding with a cluster of acute human encephalitis cases, alongside concurrent evidence of JEV detection in mosquito surveillance and the sentinel chicken programs within South Australia's Riverland and Murraylands regions. CONCLUSIONS Current surveillance measures for JEV encounter multiple constraints, which may miss the early stages of JEV circulation or fail to capture the full extent of transmission. The detection of JEV in wastewater during a disease outbreak highlights the potential WBS has as a complementary layer to existing monitoring efforts forming part of the One Health approach required for optimal disease response and control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stella Fanok
- South Australian Water Corporation, Adelaide 5001, SA, Australia
| | - Paul T Monis
- South Australian Water Corporation, Adelaide 5001, SA, Australia
| | | | - Brendon J King
- South Australian Water Corporation, Adelaide 5001, SA, Australia
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Steffen R, Chen LH, Leggat PA. Travel vaccines-priorities determined by incidence and impact. J Travel Med 2023; 30:taad085. [PMID: 37341307 DOI: 10.1093/jtm/taad085] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2023] [Revised: 06/05/2023] [Accepted: 06/06/2023] [Indexed: 06/22/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Infectious disease epidemiology is continuously shifting. While travel has been disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic and travel-related epidemiological research experienced a pause, further shifts in vaccine-preventable diseases (VPDs) relevant for travellers have occurred. METHODS We conducted a literature search on the epidemiology of travel-related VPD and synthesized data for each disease with a focus on symptomatic cases and on the impact of the respective infection among travellers, considering the hospitalization rate, disease sequela and case fatality rate. We present new data and revised best estimates on the burden of VPD relevant for decisions on priorities in travel vaccines. RESULTS COVID-19 has emerged to be a top travel-related risk and influenza remains high in the ranking with an estimated incidence at 1% per month of travel. Dengue is another commonly encountered infection among international travellers with estimated monthly incidence of 0.5-0.8% among non-immune exposed travellers; the hospitalized proportion was 10 and 22%, respectively, according to two recent publications. With recent yellow fever outbreaks particularly in Brazil, its estimated monthly incidence has risen to >0.1%. Meanwhile, improvements in hygiene and sanitation have led to some decrease in foodborne illnesses; however, hepatitis A monthly incidence remains substantial in most developing regions (0.001-0.01%) and typhoid remains particularly high in South Asia (>0.01%). Mpox, a newly emerged disease that demonstrated worldwide spread through mass gathering and travel, cannot be quantified regarding its travel-related risk. CONCLUSION The data summarized may provide a tool for travel health professionals to prioritize preventive strategies for their clients against VPD. Updated assessments on incidence and impact are ever more important since new vaccines with travel indications (e.g. dengue) have been licensed or are undergoing regulatory review.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert Steffen
- Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Prevention Institute, Department of Public and Global Health, Division of Infectious Diseases, World Health Organization Collaborating Centre for Travelers' Health, University of Zurich, Zurich 8001, Switzerland
- Division of Epidemiology, Human Genetics & Environmental Sciences, University of Texas School of Public Health, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Lin H Chen
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Travel Medicine, Mount Auburn Hospital, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
- Faculty of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Peter A Leggat
- College of Public Health, Medical and Veterinary Sciences, James Cook University, Townsville, Queensland 4810, Australia
- School of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg 2193, South Africa
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