Global Overview, Emerging Patterns, and Networking of West Nile Virus Research: A Scientometric Analysis

Introduction: The West Nile virus (WNV) has become a global concern, triggering major outbreaks in the United States and other regions. Effective surveillance and early detection are essential for controlling its spread. This study aims to assess the global landscape of WNV research, identify emerging trends, and analyze collaborative networks in the field. Methods: A comprehensive search was conducted in the Scopus database on July 14, 2024, covering publications from January 2019 to July 2024 that included specific keywords in their titles or abstracts. Metadata from 2305 documents were extracted and analyzed using SciVal and Bibliometrix, applying various indicators and metrics to evaluate research trends and collaborations. Results: The most prominent authors and institutions in this field include Ute Ziegler of the Friedrich-Loeffler Institute in Germany, Giovanni Savini of the Instituto Zooprofilattico Experimentale di Abruzzo e Molise in Italy, and Sylvie Lecollinet of the National Food Safety Agency, de l'Environnement et du Travail in France. The journals most central to WNV research include viruses and pathogens, the Journal of Medical Entomology, Vector-Borne and Zoonotic Diseases, and PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases. The thematic evolution of WNV research reveals various key themes over time. Most publications were concentrated in the first quartile (Q1), although a decreasing trend was observed in the number of publications over time in all quartiles. The USA had the largest number of corresponding authors. Conclusion: These findings provide a comprehensive view of the scope, influence, and impact of WNV research, highlighting the importance of international collaboration in this field.