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Western equine encephalitis surveillance in Utah
K H Wagstaff1, S L Dickson, A Bailey
1South Salt Lake County Mosquito Abatement District, Midvale, UT 84047.
Journal of the American Mosquito Control Association
|June 1, 1986
Summary
West Nile Virus (WEE) surveillance in Utah shows no WEE activity in sentinel chickens from 1983-1985, despite earlier outbreaks. This indicates a lack of WEE virus transmission in the monitored region during this period.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Entomology
- Arbovirology
- Public Health Surveillance
Background:
- The history of Western Equine Encephalitis (WEE) surveillance in Utah dates back to a significant horse outbreak in 1933.
- The evolution of mosquito control and surveillance programs by Utah Mosquito Abatement Associations from 1957 onwards is documented.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the historical development of WEE surveillance in Utah.
- To analyze the results of an expanded sentinel chicken flock surveillance program.
- To determine the presence or absence of WEE activity in Utah.
Main Methods:
- Historical review of WEE outbreaks and surveillance program formation.
- Implementation of an enlarged sentinel chicken flock surveillance program.
- Serological testing of sentinel chickens for WEE virus infection.
Main Results:
- A historical WEE outbreak in 1933 affected 3,958 horses.
- The Utah Mosquito Abatement Associations established a surveillance program from 1957 to the present.
- Sentinel chicken surveillance in 1983, 1984, and 1985 revealed three sero-conversions in September 1983, with no further sero-conversions in subsequent years.
Conclusions:
- The sentinel chicken surveillance program indicated a lack of significant Western Equine Encephalitis activity in the monitored Utah surveillance area during 1983-1985.
- Historical data provides context for understanding current WEE surveillance efforts.
- The study highlights the effectiveness of sentinel surveillance in detecting arboviral activity.