Serological evidence of West Nile Virus infection among humans in the southern Provinces of Morocco.

INTRODUCTION

The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of West Nile Virus infection in the southern provinces of Morocco.

METHODOLOGY: A total of 250 sera, collected during 2012 in the province of Dakhla, were analyzed by microneutralisation assay.

RESULTS

WNV-neutralizing antibodies were detected in 13 samples (5.2%). The participants with WNV-specific antibodies were significantly younger than the rest of the population (p = 0.009). The positivity rate was higher among women (6.3%) than men (3.6%) (p = 0.26).

CONCLUSIONS

This is the first serological evidence of WNV infection among humans in the southern provinces of Morocco.