Review article
West Nile virus in Croatia importance and results of veterinarian control in a public health
Ljubo Barbić
; Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
Vladimir Stevanović
; Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
Zoran Milas
; Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
Vilim Starešina
; Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
Nenad Turk
; Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
Zrinka Štiritof Majetić
; Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
Josipa Habuš
; Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
Matko Perharić
; Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
Snježana Kovač
; Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
Krešimir Martinković
; Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
Vesna Mojčec Perko
; Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
Josip Madić
; Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
Ivana Lohman Janković
; Ministarstvo poljoprivrede, Uprava za veterinarstvo i sigurnost hrane
Ljupka Maltar
; Ministarstvo poljoprivrede, Uprava za veterinarstvo i sigurnost hrane
Abstract
West Nile virus is considered endemic in Croatia for at least last four years. Based on the results of scientific study made in 2010 Ministry of Agriculture, Veterinary and Food Safety Directorate introduced WNV surveillance program in 2011. Even though this program was protecting animal health; it was made as early warning system for public health. With some modifications same program was going during 2012 when collected data clearly suggested that first human clinical cases will occur. Collected data were fundamental for introduction of control measures in public health. Because of human cases in previous year in 2013 surveillance program was widened and again giving direction where public health controls measures should take place. Most probably the undertaken control measures were the reason for significant decrease of the number of diseased people in Croatia comparing to neighbouring countries. Close collaboration of veterinary and public health service is necessary for the control of this endemic pathogen in following transmission seasons. In this article through description of different WNV surveillance systems and through presentation of the data collected until now in Croatia we would like to give more information to veterinary practitioners. Only well informed veterinary professionals will be able to perform all different aspects of surveillance program highlighting crucial role of veterinarians in public health.
Keywords
West Nile Virus; Zoonosis; Public Health; Veterinary medicine
Hrčak ID:
231669
URI
Publication date:
10.3.2014.
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