A Global Perspective on Controlling West Nile Virus Identifying Efficient and Effective Public Health Strategies

Abstract

West Nile Virus has been an increased concern for many countries over the past couple of decades. We examine West Nile Virus surveillance strategies around the world and identify West Nile Virus control methods in endemic countries and demonstrate their effectiveness and efficiency. Despite the ample amount of research, monitoring and control methods conducted by public health agencies, West Nile Virus remains a continuous health threat to the public. Countries that report West Nile Virus cases are identified and searched for articles and national protocols to explore their strategies in controlling the virus. It is essential to discuss all methods of prevention in a global context and demonstrate the most efficient and effective strategy. Data were collected from published articles on PubMed and governmental websites. All the documents were selected upon descriptive surveillance and control methods in endemic countries. The generated data were identified and compared to Center for Disease Control and Prevention recommendations. Thorough details about West Nile Virus control methods were identified in Canada and the United States, while strategies in the endemic countries are sparse. There is a substantial lack of published data in some endemic countries. Therefore, it is suggested that public health agencies publish the strategies found to be most efficient and effective and share them at an international level. This paper provides reference to public health agencies at a global level to strengthen the interventions in controlling the West Nile Virus.