Initiating arbovirus surveillance in Arkansas, 2001.

This research paper reports on a surveillance program established in Arkansas to monitor the presence of arboviruses (viruses spread by arthropod vectors) in mosquitoes and birds. The study found the first reported instances of West Nile virus in Arkansas, present in four blue jays from three different counties.

Arbovirus Surveillance Program Establishment

• The research study was undertaken to set up an arbovirus surveillance program in Arkansas. The reason for this initiative was the potential threat of the West Nile virus being introduced to the state by migratory birds.
• This program was a cooperative effort by the Arkansas Department of Health, the University of Arkansas, and Vector Disease Control Incorporated.

Surveillance Methods and Objectives

• The researchers had two principal objectives. First, they wanted to carry out routine collections of mosquitoes from multiple counties and test them for various arboviruses such as the eastern equine encephalitis, St. Louis encephalitis, and West Nile viruses.
• Second, they sought to conduct passive surveillance by testing dead wild birds for the West Nile virus. Passive surveillance in this context implies monitoring disease presence without actively searching for it, but by examining animal carcasses that they came across.

Findings from the Arbovirus Surveillance

• The study tested 14,560 mosquitoes (combined into 425 pools) but found none of them carrying these viruses.
• Two hundred forty-two dead birds from 62 different counties were tested for West Nile virus. Four blue jays across three counties tested positive. This marked the first reported occurrence of the West Nile virus in the state of Arkansas.
• Samples from five horses displaying symptoms of encephalitis were also tested. However, none of the samples came back positive for West Nile, eastern equine encephalitis, and western equine encephalitis viruses.