The Neglected Threat: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Getah Virus Prevalence in Mammals (2000–2025)

Background and RationaleGetah virus (GETV) is a neglected mosquito-borne alphavirus (family Togaviridae) that has recently emerged as a significant threat to animal health in East Asia and Eurasia. Historically considered a mild pathogen, GETV has undergone rapid geographical expansion and evolutionary variation, driven by global warming and changes in vector ecology. The virus affects a wide range of mammalian hosts, causing reproductive failure in swine, fever and edema in equines, and fatalities in foxes. Despite increasing case reports and localized serological surveys, a comprehensive understanding of the macro-epidemiological patterns, overall prevalence, and host-specific infection dynamics remains fragmented due to heterogeneous sampling methods and regional disparities .Project Objectives The primary purpose of this research is to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis to quantitatively evaluate the global prevalence of GETV infection in mammalian populations. This study aims to synthesize data from observational studies published between January 2000 and September 2025 to bridge critical gaps in epidemiological knowledge. Specifically, the project seeks to: Estimate the pooled prevalence of GETV infection in key hosts (swine, equines, bovines, etc.).Compare infection rates detected by different diagnostic modalities (serological antibodies vs. nucleic acid) to distinguish between historical exposure and active infection. Elucidate temporal trends and geographical distribution characteristics to identify high-risk regions and potential drivers of viral expansion. Methodology This review adheres to the PRISMA 2020 guidelines. A comprehensive literature search was conducted across four major databases (PubMed, Web of Science, ScienceDirect, and CNKI). Eligible studies include observational surveys reporting GETV prevalence in mammals with confirmed laboratory diagnosis (ELISA, RT-PCR, etc.) . Data synthesis utilizes a random-effects model (DerSimonian-Laird) to calculate pooled prevalence estimates with 95% confidence intervals. Heterogeneity is assessed using the I^2 statistic and explored through subgroup analyses and meta-regression . Risk of bias is evaluated using the JBI Critical Appraisal Checklist1.Expected Outcomes and Significance This project will provide the most up-to-date and robust estimate of GETV burden in livestock and wildlife. By highlighting the discrepancy between high seroprevalence and low viral detection rates, the study intends to reveal the "hidden" circulation of the virus in intensive farming environments. The findings will identify pivotal amplifying hosts (e.g., swine) and sentinel species (e.g., horses), providing a scientific foundation for veterinary authorities to optimize surveillance networks, prioritize vaccine development, and implement evidence-based biosecurity measures to mitigate cross-species transmission risks.