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Published on: April 30, 2019
Using wild white-tailed deer to detect eastern equine encephalitis virus activity in Maine
John-Paul Mutebi1, Charles Lubelczyk, Rebecca Eisen
1Division of Vector-Borne Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Arboviral Disease Branch, 3150 Rampart Road, Fort Collins, CO 80521, USA.
Vector Borne and Zoonotic Diseases (Larchmont, N.Y.)
|July 9, 2011
Summary
Eastern Equine Encephalitis Virus (EEEV) antibodies were found in Maine white-tailed deer sera, marking the first detection in the state. Deer brain screening is ineffective for identifying EEEV activity.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Virology
- Wildlife Disease Ecology
- Arbovirology
Background:
- Eastern Equine Encephalitis Virus (EEEV) poses a threat to wildlife and public health.
- Surveillance of EEEV in wildlife populations is crucial for understanding transmission dynamics.
- White-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) are widespread and may serve as sentinels for EEEV activity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To screen white-tailed deer serum samples from Maine for EEEV antibodies.
- To determine the prevalence and geographic distribution of EEEV antibodies in Maine deer.
- To evaluate the utility of deer brain tissue for EEEV detection.
Main Methods:
- Serum samples from 226 free-ranging white-tailed deer were tested using plaque reduction neutralization tests for EEEV antibodies.
- 150 deer brain samples were screened for EEEV RNA.
- Geographic locations of deer harvests were recorded to assess spatial distribution.
Main Results:
- EEEV antibodies were detected in 7.1% of deer sera, with 19% positivity in Somerset County.
- This represents the first documented evidence of EEEV antibodies in Maine deer populations and Somerset County.
- No EEEV RNA was found in deer brain samples, indicating low sensitivity for this detection method.
Conclusions:
- Serological screening of free-ranging white-tailed deer is an effective method for detecting EEEV activity in Maine.
- EEEV activity is present in Maine, with higher prevalence noted in Somerset County.
- Deer brain screening is not a suitable method for identifying EEEV presence.
