Ecology of West Nile Virus in the Southeastern US

描述（由申请人提供）：自1999年引入以来，西尼罗河病毒（WNV）迅速蔓延到北美大部分地区。西尼罗河病毒的流行病学和维持生态学很可能因地区而异，并随着感染从流行病转变为地方性感染模式而发生变化。该提案的主要研究者在过去四年中密切合作，研究东部马脑脊髓炎（EAE）病毒的生态学。我们证明，鸟类宿主的选择，由媒介蚊子是高度限制，某些物种的目标在更大程度上比预测的基础上，他们的丰度。我们还发现，病毒传播的高峰期对应于对某些鸟类宿主的强烈摄食期。我们还获得了初步的数据表明，载体的西尼罗河病毒表现出类似的鸟类宿主选择模式。这项建议的总体目标是建立在我们对西尼罗河病毒传播生态学的研究基础上，以全面了解美国东南部西尼罗河病毒的传播情况。这项建议的具体目标是： 1.为了确定最重要的载体西尼罗河病毒在城市周边和城市地区在南部中心亚拉巴马，并确定该载体是否参与了越冬的西尼罗河病毒在东南。 2.监测研究地点鸟类中的西尼罗河病毒活动，并将该活动与研究地点鸟类和病媒蚊子的相互作用联系起来。我们还将监测一个特征良好的鸣禽种群，以确定是否有微妙的有害影响，西尼罗河病毒感染的本地鸟类。 3.检验宿主-病媒关系的变化对触发西尼罗河病毒暴发至关重要的假设。

Description ( provided by applicant): Since its introduction in 1999,West Nile Virus (WNV) has spread rapidly through out most of North America. It is likely that the epidemiology and maintenance ecology of WNV will differ substantially from region to region, and will change overtime as the infection moves from an epidemic to an endemic pattern of infection. The Principal Investigators of this proposal have collaborated closely over the past four years in a study of the ecology of Eastern Equine Encephalomyelitis(EEE) virus. We demonstrated that avian host choice by EEE vector mosquito esis highly restricted, and that certain species are targeted to a greater extent than predicted based upon their abundance. We have also found that peak periods in viral transmission correspond to periods of intense feeding upon certain avian hosts. We have also obtained preliminary data that suggest that vectors of WNV exhibit a similar pattern of avian host choice. The overall goal of this proposal will be to build upon our studies of the ecology of EEE transmission to develop a comprehensive picture of WNV transmission in the Southeastern USA. The specific aims of this proposal are: 1. To identify the most significant vectors for WNV in peri-urban and urban areas in South Central Alabama and to determine if the vector is involved in over-wintering of WNV in the Southeast. 2. To monitor WNV activity in the avifauna present at the study site, and to relate this activity to the interaction of the avifauna and vector mosquitoes at the site. We shall also monitor a well characterized songbird population to determine if there are subtle detrimental effects of WNV infection on the native avifauna. 3. To test the hypothesis that changes in the host-vector relationship are essential in triggering outbreaks of WNV.