Patterns of Abundance, Host Use, and Everglades Virus Infection in Culex (Melanoconion) cedecei Mosquitoes, Florida, USA.

ABSTRACT: Everglades virus (EVEV), subtype II within the Venezuelan equine encephalitis (VEE) virus complex, is a mosquitoborne zoonotic pathogen endemic to south Florida, USA. EVEV infection in humans is considered rare, probably because of the sylvatic nature of the vector, the Culex (Melanoconion) cedecei mosquito. The introduction of Cx. panocossa, a tropical vector mosquito of VEE virus subtypes that inhabits urban areas, may increase human EVEV exposure. Field studies investigating spatial and temporal patterns of abundance, host use, and EVEV infection of Cx. cedecei mosquitoes in Everglades National Park found that vector abundance was dynamic across season and region. Rodents, particularly Sigmodon hispidus rats, were primary vertebrate hosts, constituting 77%-100% of Cx. cedecei blood meal

SUBMITTER: Hoyer IJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6537747 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature