SYNTHESIS ISSUE 1 2019: ANIMAL & US

Science & Technology
Figure 1: Transmission cycle of Japanese encephalitis virus between amplifiers (pigs and wild
birds) and mosquito vectors (especially Culex tritaeniorhynchus), including the infection of deadend
hosts (humans, horses, cattle). Source: World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE, www.oie.int)
to the location of farms not within paddy field. The chances
of JEV transmission through Culex spp. to pigs is less due to
the absence of water bodies areas where. Culex spp. mainly
breed in paddy field. Cattle had a JEV seroprevalence rate of
32.2%. Several countries predicted JEV infection in humans by
determining the percentage of seroprevalence among cattle,
goats, and pigs in the country. There is relatively low JEV
seroprevalence rate in birds (28.9%) and cats (14.4%). The
former finding rather unexpected as the sampling areas are
located in the paddy cultivation with numerous water bodies and
encompass migratory bird landing sites (Kuala Gula, Perak). This
study has provided baseline information in the understanding
of epidemiology of JEV infection, transmission, and spread
amongst animals. This study demonstrated that most animals in
Malaysia are susceptible to JEV infections. Thus, an appropriate
preventive measures as well as surveillance system should be in
place to provide an early warning in order to contain outbreaks
amongst animal populations.
The results showed
that dogs had the
highest seropositive
rate of 80%
(95% CI: ± 11.69)
followed by pigs
at 44.4% (95% CI:
± 1.715), cattle at
32.2% (95% CI:
± 1.058), birds at
28.9% (95% CI: ±
5.757), cats at 15.6%
(95% CI: ± 7.38), and
monkeys at 14.3%
(95% CI: ± 1.882).
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