West Nile outbreak in horses in Southern France, 2000: The return after 35years

On September 6, 2000, two cases of equine encephalitis caused by West Nile (WN) virus were reported in southern France (Herault Province), near Camarg ue National Park, where a WN outbreak occurred in 1962. Through November 30 , 76 cases were laboratory confirmed among 131 equines with neurologic diso rders. The last confirmed case was on November 3, 2000. All but three cases were located in a region nicknamed la petite Camargue," which has several large marshes, numerous colonies of migratory and resident birds, and large mosquito populations. No human case has been confirmed among clinically su spected patients, nor have abnormal deaths of birds been reported. A serosu rvey has been undertaken in horses in the infected area, and other studies are in progress.