Influence of water on the circulation of the West Nile Virus in horses in Southern France
Background West Nile Virus (WNV) affects humans and horses, potentially causing severe neurological manifestations. Recent outbreaks of West Nile fever in horses were reported in Camargue (2000, 2004), Var (2003) and Pyrénées Orientales (2006). The circulation of this virus is strongly influenced by environmental conditions. This study aimed at explaining the circulation of WNV in horses by quantifying water bodies around equine stables using Landsat images.