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Published on: June 9, 2011
Spatial epidemiology of eastern equine encephalitis in Florida
Patrick T Vander Kelen1, Joni A Downs, Lillian M Stark
1Global Health Infectious Disease Research Program, University of South Florida, 3720 Spectrum Blvd, Tampa, FL 33612, USA.
International Journal of Health Geographics
|November 7, 2012
Summary
Eastern Equine Encephalitis virus (EEEV) poses a high risk to horses and humans in Florida. Tree plantations are identified as key habitats linked to increased EEEV transmission and risk.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Epidemiology
- Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
- Arbovirology
Background:
- Eastern Equine Encephalitis virus (EEEV) is a highly pathogenic alphavirus affecting humans and horses.
- Florida records the highest incidence of human EEEV cases in the USA, with year-round transmission.
- Understanding spatial patterns of EEEV in Florida is crucial due to its persistent transmission.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine spatial patterns of EEEV in Florida horses using GIS.
- To investigate the relationship between equine EEEV cases and specific habitats.
- To identify environmental factors influencing EEEV transmission intensity.
Main Methods:
- Calculated cumulative incidence rates of EEE in horses per county.
- Applied Density-Based Spatial Clustering of Applications with Noise (DBSCAN) for regional and local cluster analysis.
- Utilized compositional and Euclidean distance analyses to assess habitat associations.
Main Results:
- DBSCAN identified five major regional clusters (360/438 cases) and 18 local clusters (105/438 cases).
- Positive habitat associations for EEEV in horses included rural residential areas, crop/pastureland, upland forests, wetlands, and tree plantations.
- Tree plantations, rural residential areas, and crop/pastureland showed significant associations with EEEV transmission.
Conclusions:
- Tree plantations are identified as significant foci for Eastern Equine Encephalitis virus epizootic transmission in Florida.
- Both the abundance and proximity of tree plantations are linked to increased EEE risk in horses and potentially humans.
- Habitat associations, particularly tree plantations, help explain spatial variations in equine EEE cases across Florida.
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