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Home / Equine Research Bank / Adv Virus Res / Ecology of Western equine encephalomyelitis in the eastern U...
Advances in virus research1977; 21; 37-83; doi: 10.1016/s0065-3527(08)60761-7

Ecology of Western equine encephalomyelitis in the eastern United States.

Abstract: Western equine encephalomyelitis (WEE) has been recognized as a serious public health problem in western North America for more than 30 years. WEE appears to exist endemically in numerous foci in that region, with a low incidence rate among humans. Severe outbreaks, however, have occurred periodically. For example, during 1941 a severe epidemic involving more than 3000 cases in humans occurred in North Dakota, Minnesota, and in the adjacent areas of Canada. The case fatality rate ranged from 8% to 15%. Epizootics among horses are more common. More than 600 cases of WEE were diagnosed among horses in the central and western United States during 1975. More recently, the virus of WEE has been found to be widely distributed in the eastern United States in regions along the Atlantic and Gulf seaboard; however, WEE has not been recognized as a public or veterinary health problem in the east. This situation presents an interesting epidemiological problem: a virus present in the different regions is causing disease in one area but not another area even though susceptible hosts are present. The reasons for the absence of WEE in humans and equines in the east are not clearly understood but probably are a reflection of parallel variations in the enzootic transmission cycles of this virus in different regions of the United States. Several reviews are available on the ecology of WEE virus in the areas of the western United States. This chapter examines data from studies on the ecology of WEE virus conducted in the eastern United States over the past two decades since the virus was first recognized in this region.
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Publication Date: 1977-01-01 PubMed ID: 16462DOI: 10.1016/s0065-3527(08)60761-7Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

The research discusses the ecological aspects of Western equine encephalomyelitis (WEE), a public health issue in North America, focusing on its presence in the eastern United States where the virus exists but doesn’t cause the disease, unlike in the west.

Exploring Western Equine Encephalomyelitis (WEE)

  • Western Equine Encephalomyelitis (WEE) is a significant public health issue in western North America, recognized for over three decades. The disease affects humans and horses, with horses experiencing more outbreaks.
  • Although WEE has affected thousands of humans in the past (such as the 1941 epidemic involving over 3000 human cases), it generally exhibits a low incidence rate in people in western North America. When outbreaks do occur, they can be severe, with fatality rates ranging from 8% to 15%.

Eastern Presence of the WEE Virus

  • The virus has also been found in the Eastern United States, particularly along the Atlantic and Gulf seaboard. Despite its presence, WEE hasn’t posed a significant public or veterinary health problem in this region.
  • This situation presents an intriguing epidemiological puzzle. The virus is present and there are susceptible hosts. However, unlike in western regions, the disease is not manifesting.

Understanding Regional Differences

  • The reasons for the disease’s absence in the east, despite the presence of the virus and susceptible hosts, aren’t clear. The situation may be due to variations in the enzootic transmission cycle of the virus in different regions.
  • The research explores this complex issue by examining data from studies conducted in the eastern United States over the last two decades.

Cite This Article

APA
Hayes CG, Wallis RC. (1977). Ecology of Western equine encephalomyelitis in the eastern United States. Adv Virus Res, 21, 37-83. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0065-3527(08)60761-7

Publication

Advances in virus research
ISSN: 0065-3527
NlmUniqueID: 0370441
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 21
Pages: 37-83

Researcher Affiliations

Hayes, C G
    Wallis, R C

      MeSH Terms

      • Animals
      • Birds / microbiology
      • Culicidae / microbiology
      • Disease Reservoirs
      • Ecology
      • Encephalitis Virus, Western Equine / classification
      • Encephalitis Virus, Western Equine / growth & development
      • Encephalomyelitis, Equine / epidemiology
      • Genetic Variation
      • Humans
      • Insect Vectors
      • Insecta / microbiology
      • Seasons
      • United States
      • Vertebrates / microbiology

      References

      This article includes 258 references

      Citations

      This article has been cited 9 times.
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