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Humans and equines are two dead-end hosts of the mosquito-borne West Nile virus (WNV) with similar susceptibility and pathogenesis. Since the introduction of WNV vaccines into equine populations of the United States of America (USA) in late 2002, there have been only sporadic cases of WNV infection in equines. These cases are generally attributed to unvaccinated and under-vaccinated equines. In contrast, due to the lack of a human WNV vaccine, WNV cases in humans have remained steadily high. An average of 115 deaths have been reported per year in the USA since the first reported case in 1999. Therefore, the characterization of protective immune responses to WNV and the identification of immune correlates of protection in vaccinated equines will provide new fundamental information about the successful development and evaluation of WNV vaccines in humans. This review discusses the comparative epidemiology, transmission, susceptibility to infection and disease, clinical manifestation and pathogenesis, and immune responses of WNV in humans and equines. Furthermore, prophylactic and therapeutic strategies that are currently available and under development are described. In addition, the successful vaccination of equines against WNV and the potential lessons for human vaccine development are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Rotaviral infection is the most common cause of foal diarrhoea, leading to severe dehydration and electrolyte derangements, which, left untreated, can be rapidly fatal. Until 2021, equine rotaviruses of group A (ERVA) were considered to be the only rotaviruses affecting horses; however, equine rotavirus group B (ERVB) has recently been identified in association with neonatal foal diarrhoea outbreaks. ERVA has been observed globally in many countries with large equine industries. Equine rotaviruses (ERV) are extremely contagious. Foals as young as 12 hours of age can show clinical signs. These clinical signs include inappetence, dullness, colic and characteristic watery diarrhoea that can be orange‐yellow to reddish‐brown in colour. Nowadays diagnosis relies mainly on qPCR—a test limited by the fact that PCR is a directed test requiring a priori knowledge of a pathogen's genome. The mainstay of therapy for rotaviral diarrhoea is supportive care since treatment directly targeting the virus itself is not available. Prevention relies on proper biosecurity protocols and, in the case of ERVA, vaccination of mares. Currently, researchers at the University of Kentucky are working on developing a vaccine for ERVB. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]