West Nile virus risk assessment and the bridge vector paradigm

Publication Status is "Submitted" Or "In Press: 
LDEO Publication: 
Publication Type: 
Year of Publication: 
2005
Editor: 
Journal Title: 
Emerging Infectious Diseases
Journal Date: 
Mar
Place Published: 
Tertiary Title: 
Volume: 
11
Issue: 
3
Pages: 
425-429
Section / Start page: 
Publisher: 
ISBN Number: 
1080-6040
ISSN Number: 
Edition: 
Short Title: 
Accession Number: 
ISI:000227421400011
LDEO Publication Number: 
Call Number: 
Abstract: 

In the northeast United States, control of West Nile virus (WNV) vectors has been unfocused because of a lack of accurate knowledge about the roles different mosquitoes play in WNV transmission. We analyzed the risk posed by 10 species of mosquitoes for transmitting WNV to humans by using a novel risk-assessment measure that combines information on the abundance, infection prevalence, vector competence, and biting behaviour of vectors. This analysis suggests that 2 species (Culex pipiens L. and Cx. restuans Theobald [Diptera: Cilicidae]) not previously considered important in transmitting WNV to humans may be responsible for up to 80% of human WNV infections in this region. This finding suggests that control efforts should be focused on these species which may reduce effects on nontarget wetland organisms. Our risk measure has broad applicability to other regions and diseases and can be adapted for use as a predictive tool of future human WNV infections.

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903JGTimes Cited:42Cited References Count:26

DOI: