Prevalence of West Nile Virus among Sudanese Participants in Gezira State

Abstract

West Nile virus (WNV), a mosquito-borne pathogen belonging to the Flavivirus genus (family Flaviviridae), is primarily responsible for West Nile fever. In rare cases (< 1% of infections), it can lead to West Nile neuroinvasive disease (WNND), which carries an approximate fatality rate of 10%. This cross-sectional study aimed to assess WNV exposure among residents of Gezira State, Sudan, from 2019 to 2022. A total of 400 participants were included, with 5 mL of blood collected from each—2 mL in an EDTA tube and 3 mL in a plain container. Plasma and serum were separated via centrifugation, and WNV-specific IgG and IgM antibodies were detected using ELISA. The results revealed that 62.25% (249 cases) tested positive for WNV-IgG antibodies, while 37.75% (151 cases) were negative. None of the samples showed detectable WNV-IgM antibodies. Statistical analysis indicated no significant association between WNV-IgG seropositivity and age or gender (p = 0.060 and 
p = 0.117, respectively). However, significant correlations were observed with marital status and education level (p < 0.05). The study highlights the need for ongoing surveillance of WNV and other vector-borne diseases in the region to identify active West Nile Virus infections. Public health efforts should prioritize mosquito control measures, community education, and awareness campaigns about WNV symptoms and prevention.