Letter to the Editor: Venezuelan Equine Encephalitis virus 1B Invasion and Epidemic Control-South Texas, 1971.
Abstract: The epidemic strain of Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus (VEE) 1B invaded south Texas in 1971. The success of the eventual containment and control of the virus invasion was the early recognition and immediate detection, cooperation, coordination, and participation among multiple federal agencies. There were 4739 wild vertebrate animals trapped on a ranch in the area with only 1 VEE virus isolation from a Virgina opossum (Didelphis virginiana). A large number of mosquitoes were also collected on the ranch and tested, resulting in 240 VEE virus isolations. Virus isolations were obtained from 58% of the 33 equines tested. Wild vertebrates did not play a significant role in the outbreak.
Publication Date: 2020-06-22 PubMed ID: 32580287PubMed Central: PMC7344664DOI: 10.3390/tropicalmed5020104Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary
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The research article discusses the invasion of Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus (VEE) strain 1B in South Texas in 1971 and the successful methods used to control the outbreak. It includes data about the involvement of various animals and mosquitoes in the outbreak.
VEE Invasion and Epidemic Control
The VEE strain 1B caused an outbreak in South Texas in 1971. The primary method for managing this crisis was early detection and prompt intervention. This was achieved by efficient communication, cooperation, and participation between different federal agencies.
- A striking finding from the data was that out of a total of 4739 wild vertebrates that were caught on a local ranch, only 1 VEE virus was detected from a Virginia opossum. This indicates that wild vertebrates did not contribute significantly to the spread of the virus.
Role of Mosquitoes and Equines
The study also noted the role of mosquitoes and equines in the VEE outbreak. A large quantity of mosquitoes was captured and inspected on the same ranch where wild animals had been trapped.
- The study found 240 instances of VEE virus in the tested mosquitoes, implying a significant involvement of mosquitoes in the viral spread.
- A large percentage of equines tested positive for the virus, with 58% of the 33 equines tested resulting in VEE virus isolation. This suggests that equines played a significant role in the epidemic. The high incidence of the virus among equines as opposed to wild vertebrates could be due to factors such as closer human interaction or increased susceptibility to the virus.
Significance
This study provides important insights into the behavior and spread of the VEE virus. The details about the high incidence among mosquitoes and equines and low detection in wild vertebrates are particularly valuable for informing future prevention and control strategies.
- Understanding the roles different animal species play in an outbreak can help to develop focused strategies for containment and control of similar epidemic occurrences in the future.
Cite This Article
APA
McLean RG.
(2020).
Letter to the Editor: Venezuelan Equine Encephalitis virus 1B Invasion and Epidemic Control-South Texas, 1971.
Trop Med Infect Dis, 5(2), 104.
https://doi.org/10.3390/tropicalmed5020104 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Retired, Research Program Manager, Wildlife Diseases Program, National Wildlife Research Center, Wildlife Services, USDA, APHIS, Fort Collins, CO 80521, USA.
Conflict of Interest Statement
The author declares no conflict of interest. The funders had no role in the design of the study; in the collection, analyses, or interpretation of data; in the writing of the manuscript; or in the decision to publish the results.
References
This article includes 5 references
- Sudia WD, Newhouse VF. Venezuelan equine encephalitis in texas information reports 1971. Mosq. News 1971;31:350–351.
- Zehmer RB, Dean PB, Sudia WD, Calisher CH, Sather GE, Parker RL. Venezuelan equine encephalitis epidemic in Texas, 1971.. Health Serv Rep 1974 May-Jun;89(3):278-82.
- Sudia WD, McLean RG, Newhouse VF, Johnston JG, Miller DL, Trevino H, Bowen GS, Sather G. Epidemic Venezuelan equine encephalitis in North America in 1971: vertebrate field studies.. Am J Epidemiol 1975 Jan;101(1):36-50.
- Sudia WD, Newhouse VF, Beadle ID, Miller DL, Johnston JG Jr, Young R, Calisher CH, Maness K. Epidemic Venezuelan equine encephalitis in North America in 1971: vector studies.. Am J Epidemiol 1975 Jan;101(1):17-35.
- Pinkovsky DD. United States Air Force aerial spray activities in operation combat VEE. Mosq. News 1972;328:332–337.
Citations
This article has been cited 2 times.- Kading RC, Brault AC, Beckham JD. Global Perspectives on Arbovirus Outbreaks: A 2020 Snapshot. Trop Med Infect Dis 2020 Sep 7;5(3).
- Cintra AM, Noda-Nicolau NM, Soman MLO, Affonso PHA, Valente GT, Grotto RMT. The Main Arboviruses and Virus Detection Methods in Vectors: Current Approaches and Future Perspectives. Pathogens 2025 Apr 25;14(5).
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