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Home / Equine Research Bank / Am J Trop Med Hyg / Field investigations of winter transmission of eastern equin...
The American journal of tropical medicine and hygiene2014; 91(4); 685-693; doi: 10.4269/ajtmh.14-0081

Field investigations of winter transmission of eastern equine encephalitis virus in Florida.

Abstract: Studies investigating winter transmission of Eastern equine encephalitis virus (EEEV) were conducted in Hillsborough County, Florida. The virus was detected in Culiseta melanura and Anopheles quadrimaculatus in February 2012 and 2013, respectively. During the winter months, herons were the most important avian hosts for all mosquito species encountered. In collections carried out in the summer of 2011, blood meals taken from herons were still common, but less frequently encountered than in winter, with an increased frequency of mammalian- and reptile-derived meals observed in the summer. Four wading bird species (Black-crowned Night Heron [Nycticorax nycticorax], Yellow-crowned Night Heron [Nyctanassa violacea], Anhinga [Anhinga anhinga], and Great Blue Heron [Ardea herodias]) were most frequently fed upon by Cs. melanura and Culex erraticus, suggesting that these species may participate in maintaining EEEV during the winter in Florida.
© The American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene.
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Publication Date: 2014-07-28 PubMed ID: 25070997PubMed Central: PMC4183388DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.14-0081Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article
  • Research Support
  • N.I.H.
  • Extramural

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 focuses on the study of the Eastern equine encephalitis virus (EEEV) transmission during winter, particularly in Hillsborough County, Florida. The virus was located in two types of mosquitoes and observed to be prevalent in herons, indicating the significant role of these birds in the winter transmission of EEEV.

Contex and Objective Of The Research

  • The study was centered on understanding how the Eastern equine encephalitis virus (EEEV) is transmitted during winter, specifically in Florida’s Hillsborough County.
  • EEEV is a virus that primarily affects horses, but it can also cause severe diseases in humans. Therefore, understanding its transmission trends is vital for public health measures.
  • The primary objective of the research was to identify the vector species (mosquitoes in this case) and hosts (herons) involved in the winter transmission of EEEV.

Methodology

  • In order to investigate how the virus is transmitted, researchers identified the virus in two mosquito species, Culiseta melanura and Anopheles quadrimaculatus, in February 2012 and 2013, respectively.
  • Researchers observed the feeding habits of mosquitoes during the winter and summer months. They took particular note of which animals’ blood meals were taken by the mosquitoes.

Key Findings

  • It was found that herons were the most important avian hosts for all mosquito species found during the winter months.
  • Even in the summer of 2011, herons continued to be a common blood meal for the mosquitoes, although to a lesser extent compared to winter. However, mosquitoes also had an increased frequency of blood meals derived from mammals and reptiles during the summer months.
  • Specifically, Black-crowned Night Heron, Yellow-crowned Night Heron, Anhinga, and Great Blue Heron were most frequently fed upon by the mosquitoes Cs. melanura and Culex erraticus.

Conclusion and Implication

  • The detection of EEEV in mosquitoes as well as the high incidence of herons in mosquito blood meals suggests that these birds may play a significant role in maintaining and transmitting EEEV during winter in Florida.
  • This finding is crucial as it provides valuable insights that could aid in combating this disease by informing appropriate pest and disease management strategies targeted at these potential carriers.

Cite This Article

APA
Bingham AM, Burkett-Cadena ND, Hassan HK, McClure CJ, Unnasch TR. (2014). Field investigations of winter transmission of eastern equine encephalitis virus in Florida. Am J Trop Med Hyg, 91(4), 685-693. https://doi.org/10.4269/ajtmh.14-0081

Publication

The American journal of tropical medicine and hygiene
ISSN: 1476-1645
NlmUniqueID: 0370507
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 91
Issue: 4
Pages: 685-693

Researcher Affiliations

Bingham, Andrea M
  • Global Health Infectious Disease Research Program, Department of Global Health, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida; Florida Medical Entomology Laboratory, Entomology and Nematology Department, University of Florida, Vero Beach, Florida; The Peregrine Fund, Boise, Indiana.
Burkett-Cadena, Nathan D
  • Global Health Infectious Disease Research Program, Department of Global Health, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida; Florida Medical Entomology Laboratory, Entomology and Nematology Department, University of Florida, Vero Beach, Florida; The Peregrine Fund, Boise, Indiana.
Hassan, Hassan K
  • Global Health Infectious Disease Research Program, Department of Global Health, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida; Florida Medical Entomology Laboratory, Entomology and Nematology Department, University of Florida, Vero Beach, Florida; The Peregrine Fund, Boise, Indiana.
McClure, Christopher J W
  • Global Health Infectious Disease Research Program, Department of Global Health, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida; Florida Medical Entomology Laboratory, Entomology and Nematology Department, University of Florida, Vero Beach, Florida; The Peregrine Fund, Boise, Indiana.
Unnasch, Thomas R
  • Global Health Infectious Disease Research Program, Department of Global Health, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida; Florida Medical Entomology Laboratory, Entomology and Nematology Department, University of Florida, Vero Beach, Florida; The Peregrine Fund, Boise, Indiana tunnasch@health.usf.edu.

MeSH Terms

  • Amphibians / virology
  • Animals
  • Anopheles / virology
  • Bird Diseases / epidemiology
  • Bird Diseases / transmission
  • Bird Diseases / virology
  • Birds / virology
  • Blood / virology
  • Cattle
  • Culex / virology
  • Culicidae / virology
  • Disease Reservoirs / virology
  • Dogs
  • Ecology
  • Encephalitis Virus, Eastern Equine / isolation & purification
  • Encephalomyelitis, Equine / transmission
  • Encephalomyelitis, Equine / veterinary
  • Encephalomyelitis, Equine / virology
  • Female
  • Florida / epidemiology
  • Humans
  • Mammals / virology
  • Reptiles / virology
  • Seasons

Grant Funding

  • R01 AI049724 / NIAID NIH HHS
  • R56AI01372 / NIAID NIH HHS
  • R01AI49724 / NIAID NIH HHS

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