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Updated: May 13, 2026
Detection of Infectious Virus from Field-collected Mosquitoes by Vero Cell Culture Assay
Published on: June 9, 2011
[Serological study carried out in Cuban localities where confirmed western Nile virus infection is present]
C Maritza Pupo-Antúnez1, C Victoria Cabrera Rodriguez, Yaimee Vázquez Mojena
1Instituto de Medicina Tropical "Pedro Kourí", La Habana, Cuba. mpupo@ipk.sld.cu
Introduction:
first infected cases caused by West Nile virus were reported in Cuba in 2004.
Objective:
to monitor and learn about the prevalence of the West Nile virus in those areas with confirmed cases.
Methods:
the study was conducted in Jatibonico municipality and in the city of sancti Spiritus. A total number of 14 persons, 8 horses and 41 birds were researched to detect antibodies to flavivirus and specific antibodies to West Nile virus.
Results:
the presence of specific antibodies to West Nile virus was confirmed in 4 samples of sera from birds and in 4 from horses. One person was confirmed as one case of asymptomatic West Nile virus infection.
Conclusions:
the presence of specific antibodies to West Nile virus in birds, horses and persons residing in areas where there are confirmed cases showed that a local amplification cycle had been established in Cuba before this study.
