Ecology of West Nile Virus in the Southeastern US

描述(申请人提供)：自1999年引入以来，西尼罗河病毒(WNV)在北美大部分地区迅速传播。西尼罗河病毒的流行病学和维持生态很可能会因地区不同而有很大不同，随着感染从流行转变为地方性感染模式，可能会随着时间的推移而发生变化。这项建议的首席研究人员在过去四年中密切合作，研究东部马脑脊髓炎(EEE)病毒的生态学。我们证明，EEE媒介蚊子对鸟类宿主的选择受到高度限制，某些物种的目标范围比基于其丰度的预测更大。我们还发现，病毒传播的高峰期对应于对某些禽类宿主的密集进食时期。我们还获得了初步数据，表明西尼罗河病毒的载体表现出类似的禽类宿主选择模式。这项提案的总体目标将是在我们对EEE输电生态的研究的基础上，制定美国东南部WNV输电的全面图景。这项建议的具体目标是： 1.确定西尼罗河病毒在阿拉巴马州中南部城市周边和市区的最重要媒介，并确定该媒介是否参与西尼罗河病毒在东南部的越冬。 2.监测研究地点存在的禽类动物中的西尼罗河病毒活动，并将这一活动与研究地点的鸟类动物和媒介蚊子的相互作用联系起来。我们还将监测具有良好特征的鸣禽种群，以确定西尼罗河病毒感染对本地鸟类是否有微妙的有害影响。 3.验证宿主-媒介关系的变化是引发西尼罗河病毒暴发的关键假设。

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.