Prevalence of Japanese encephalitis and West Nile viral infections in pig population in and around Chandigarh.

A study on sero prevalence of Japanese Encephalitis (JE) and West Nile (WN) viruses in pigs was carried out in and around Chandigarh. A total of 158 blood samples collected (June, 1995-March, 1996) from batches of pigs were screened for antibodies against JE and WN viral antigens by haemagglutination inhibition and complement fixation tests. In Chandigarh out of 13 pigs, 5 had JE and one WN HAI antibodies. Similarly, the sera of 14 and 1 pigs in Punjab and 29 and 3 pigs in Haryana were positive for JE and WN HAI antibodies respectively. In total JE specific HAI antibodies were found in 30.3% and CF antibodies in 12.5% of pigs whereas WN specific HAI antibodies were obtained in 3.2% and only one pig had CF antibodies. The results show that JE and WN viral infections are prevalent in pig population in and around Chandigarh.