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Epidemiology and infection1990; 104(2); 329-343; doi: 10.1017/s0950268800059501

Trajectory analysis of winds and eastern equine encephalitis in USA, 1980-5.

Abstract: Backward trajectories of winds were determined to identify possible sources of eastern equine encephalitis virus associated with isolation of virus from mosquitoes or birds or outbreaks in horses between 1980 and 1985 in Maryland, New Jersey, New York and Michigan, USA. The results of the trajectory analyses suggested that eastern equine encephalitis virus could have been carried by infected mosquitoes on surface winds at temperatures 13 degrees C or higher from North Carolina north-eastwards along the Atlantic Coast to Maryland and New Jersey and thence to upstate New York and from western Kentucky to Michigan. Landing of mosquitoes was associated with the presence of a cold front and rain leading to variations in the location and timing of outbreaks from year to year. The mosquito responsible was most likely to have been Culiseta melanura, but Coquillettidia perturbans and Aedes sollicitans could also have been involved. There may be a continual cycle of eastern equine encephalitis virus in mosquitoes and birds in south-eastern USA, from where the virus could be distributed by infected mosquitoes on the wind along the Gulf and Atlantic Coasts and up the Mississippi Valley.
Publication Date: 1990-04-01 PubMed ID: 1969804PubMed Central: PMC2271746DOI: 10.1017/s0950268800059501Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article

Summary

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This research paper evaluates the movement of the Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) virus in the United States between 1980 and 1985. The researchers tracked wind patterns to determine possible sources of the virus and found that mosquitoes likely transported the virus via wind currents from specific locations, with variations in virus spread due to weather fronts and rainfall.

Research Methodology and Results

  • The researchers carried out backward trajectory analyses of winds to trace back the potential origins of the EEE virus. These origins were associated with the isolation of the virus from mosquitoes or birds or with disease outbreaks in horses.
  • The research focused on areas in Maryland, New Jersey, New York and Michigan between 1980 and 1985 and identified that the EEE virus could have been transmitted by infected mosquitoes riding surface winds at temperatures of 13 degrees Celsius and above.
  • The study found an association between the virus’s movements with the route from North Carolina northwards along the Atlantic Coast, and from there to Maryland, New Jersey, and upstate New York. Another significant route was from western Kentucky to Michigan.

Weather Conditions and the Spread of EEE Virus

  • The researchers noted an association between the landing of infected mosquitoes and the presence of a cold front and rain. These weather conditions led to variations in the timing and location of EEE outbreaks each year.

Responsible Mosquito Species

  • The study stated that the main insect responsible for the spread was likely the Culiseta melanura mosquito strain, but it also considered the possibility of the Coquillettidia perturbans and Aedes sollicitans species.

EEE Virus Cycle and Distribution Movements

  • The research indicated that there might be a continuous cycle of the EEE virus in mosquitoes and birds in the southeastern United States. From this region, the virus could then be carried by infected mosquitoes on wind currents along the Gulf and Atlantic coasts and up the Mississippi Valley.

Cite This Article

APA
Sellers RF, Maarouf AR. (1990). Trajectory analysis of winds and eastern equine encephalitis in USA, 1980-5. Epidemiol Infect, 104(2), 329-343. https://doi.org/10.1017/s0950268800059501

Publication

ISSN: 0950-2688
NlmUniqueID: 8703737
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 104
Issue: 2
Pages: 329-343

Researcher Affiliations

Sellers, R F
  • Agriculture Canada, Health of Animals Laboratory Division, Ottawa, Ontario.
Maarouf, A R

    MeSH Terms

    • Air Movements
    • Animals
    • Birds
    • Culicidae
    • Disease Outbreaks / veterinary
    • Encephalitis Virus, Eastern Equine
    • Encephalomyelitis, Equine / epidemiology
    • Encephalomyelitis, Equine / transmission
    • Encephalomyelitis, Equine / veterinary
    • Horse Diseases / epidemiology
    • Horse Diseases / transmission
    • Horses
    • United States / epidemiology
    • Wind

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    Citations

    This article has been cited 6 times.
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