Evidence for multiple foci of eastern equine encephalitis virus (Togaviridae:Alphavirus) in central New York State.
Abstract: A regional surveillance system for eastern equine encephalitis (EEE) virus was established in central New York in 1984 after the 2nd human EEE fatality occurred in 1983. Extensive mosquito surveillance activities were coordinated with the rapid laboratory processing of mosquito specimens for EEE virus. Active surveillance for EEE infections in humans and equines also was initiated. Results of long-term surveillance detected the presence of multiple Culiseta breeding swamps. A 6-yr interepizootic period (1984-1989) was followed by 2 yr of equine EEE. In 1990, there were 7 equine cases and a record number of EEE virus isolations from mosquitoes (n = 86), wild birds (n = 27), and sentinel pheasants (n = 7). In 1991, 7 equine cases also occurred, although there were fewer isolations from mosquitoes (n = 40). The sequence to the appearance of EEE virus at swamps and upland sites and at individual swam complexes, and the spatial and temporal distribution of equine cases provide evidence for multiple foci of EEE virus in central New York. The role of infected Culiseta melanura (Coquillett) in the transfer of EEE virus between swamp and upland areas and among swamp complexes is advanced.
Publication Date: 1996-05-01 PubMed ID: 8667390DOI: 10.1093/jmedent/33.3.421Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
Summary
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The research article discusses a long-term surveillance initiative that identified multiple breeding sites of eastern equine encephalitis (EEE) transmitting mosquitoes in central New York, revealing that these areas act as hubs of infection.
Research Context
- The study was initiated in central New York following the second fatal human case of EEE in 1983, signaling the need for a better understanding of the virus’s behavior in this region.
- To achieve this, an extensive regional surveillance system was set up in 1984 to monitor EEE virus activity in mosquitoes, humans, equines, and birds.
- This surveillance included detection of EEE virus in mosquito specimens, observation of infections in humans and equines, and identification of mosquito breeding swamps in the area.
Key Findings
- The rigorous surveillance led to the detection of multiple Culiseta mosquito breeding swamps, highlighting multiple hotspots for EEE virus transmission.
- The results demonstrated a 6-year interepizootic period (a period of apparent inactivity or lessened activity) between 1984 and 1989, followed by two years of equine EEE cases.
- Detailed statistics for 1990 and 1991 showed a record number of EEE virus isolations from different species, including a significant number from mosquitoes, wild birds, and sentinel pheasants.
Implications
- The findings indicate that there are multiple active transmission sites or foci for the EEE virus, affected by the spatial distribution of mosquito swamps and upland sites, the year-to-year population variation, and the spread of infection among animal species.
- The study also highlights the role of the Culiseta melanura mosquito in the transfer of the EEE virus, suggesting this species may play a significant part in transporting the virus between swamp and upland areas as well as between different swamps.
- These findings underline the importance of targeted virus surveillance and control measures at identified hotspots to prevent future outbreaks.
Cite This Article
APA
Howard JJ, Grayson MA, White DJ, Oliver J.
(1996).
Evidence for multiple foci of eastern equine encephalitis virus (Togaviridae:Alphavirus) in central New York State.
J Med Entomol, 33(3), 421-432.
https://doi.org/10.1093/jmedent/33.3.421 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- New York State Department of Health, Albany 12237, USA.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Birds / virology
- Culicidae
- Disease Reservoirs
- Encephalitis Virus, Eastern Equine / isolation & purification
- Encephalomyelitis, Equine / transmission
- Encephalomyelitis, Equine / veterinary
- Encephalomyelitis, Equine / virology
- Equidae / virology
- Horse Diseases / transmission
- Horse Diseases / virology
- Horses
- Humans
- New York
Citations
This article has been cited 11 times.- Stobierski MG, Signs K, Dinh E, Cooley TM, Melotti J, Schalow M, Patterson JS, Bolin SR, Walker ED. Eastern Equine Encephalomyelitis in Michigan: Historical Review of Equine, Human, and Wildlife Involvement, Epidemiology, Vector Associations, and Factors Contributing to Endemicity.. J Med Entomol 2022 Jan 12;59(1):27-40.
- Armstrong PM, Andreadis TG. Ecology and Epidemiology of Eastern Equine Encephalitis Virus in the Northeastern United States: An Historical Perspective.. J Med Entomol 2022 Jan 12;59(1):1-13.
- Oliver J, Tan Y, Haight JD, Tober KJ, Gall WK, Zink SD, Kramer LD, Campbell SR, Howard JJ, Das SR, Sherwood JA. Spatial and temporal expansions of Eastern equine encephalitis virus and phylogenetic groups isolated from mosquitoes and mammalian cases in New York State from 2013 to 2019.. Emerg Microbes Infect 2020 Dec;9(1):1638-1650.
- Sherwood JA, Stehman SV, Howard JJ, Oliver J. Cases of Eastern equine encephalitis in humans associated with Aedes canadensis, Coquillettidia perturbans and Culiseta melanura mosquitoes with the virus in New York State from 1971 to 2012 by analysis of aggregated published data.. Epidemiol Infect 2020 Apr 1;148:e72.
- Rocheleau JP, Kotchi SO, Arsenault J. Can local risk of West Nile virus infection be predicted from previous cases? A descriptive study in Q, 2011-2016.. Can J Public Health 2020 Apr;111(2):229-238.
- Oliver J, Lukacik G, Kokas J, Campbell SR, Kramer LD, Sherwood JA, Howard JJ. Twenty years of surveillance for Eastern equine encephalitis virus in mosquitoes in New York State from 1993 to 2012.. Parasit Vectors 2018 Jun 25;11(1):362.
- Rocheleau JP, Arsenault J, Ogden NH, Lindsay LR, Drebot M, Michel P. Characterizing areas of potential human exposure to eastern equine encephalitis virus using serological and clinical data from horses.. Epidemiol Infect 2017 Mar;145(4):667-677.
- Shepard JJ, Andreadis TG, Thomas MC, Molaei G. Host associations of mosquitoes at eastern equine encephalitis virus foci in Connecticut, USA.. Parasit Vectors 2016 Aug 30;9(1):474.
- Howard JJ, Oliver J, Kramer LD. Assessing the use of diurnal resting shelters by Culiseta melanura (Diptera: Culicidae).. J Med Entomol 2011 Jul;48(4):909-13.
- Young DS, Kramer LD, Maffei JG, Dusek RJ, Backenson PB, Mores CN, Bernard KA, Ebel GD. Molecular epidemiology of eastern equine encephalitis virus, New York.. Emerg Infect Dis 2008 Mar;14(3):454-60.
- Rabinowitz P, Gordon Z, Chudnov D, Wilcox M, Odofin L, Liu A, Dein J. Animals as sentinels of bioterrorism agents.. Emerg Infect Dis 2006 Apr;12(4):647-52.
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