West Nile Virus Exposure in Sudan: A Cross-Sectional Study (2019–2022)

West Nile virus (WNV) is a mosquito-borne pathogen responsible for West Nile fever and, in rare cases, severe neuroinvasive disease (WNND) with an estimated 10% fatality rate. This study aimed to assess WNV exposure among residents of Gezira State, Sudan, from 2019 to 2022. Blood samples were collected from 400 participants and tested for WNV-specific IgG and IgM antibodies using ELISA. The results showed that 62.3% (249/400) were positive for WNV-IgG antibodies, indicating previous exposure, whereas no participants tested positive for WNV-IgM, suggesting no recent active infections. Statistical analysis revealed no significant association between WNV-IgG seropositivity and age or gender, but significant correlations were observed with marital status and education level. These findings highlight the substantial level of past WNV exposure in Gezira State and underscore the need for ongoing surveillance, mosquito control measures, and community education to mitigate potential outbreaks.