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Distribution and Abundance of Host-seeking Culex Species at Three Proximate Locations with Different Levels of West Nile Virus Activity

Culex species were monitored at three proximate sites with historically different West Nile virus (WNV) activities. The site with human WNV transmission (epidemic) had the lowest abundance of the putative bridge vectors, Culex pipiens and Cx. salinarius. The site with horse cases but not human cases (epizootic) had the highest percent composition of Cx. salinarius, whereas the site with WNV-positive birds only (enzootic) had the highest Cx. pipiens abundance and percent composition. A total of 29 WNV-positive Culex pools were collected at the enzootic site, 17 at the epidemic site, and 14 at the epizootic site. Published models of human risk using Cx. pipiens and Cx. salinarius as the primary bridge vectors did not explain WNV activity at our sites. Other variables, such as additional vector species, environmental components, and socioeconomic factors, need to be examined to explain the observed patterns of WNV epidemic activity.

Received May 13, 2008. Accepted for publication September 30, 2008.

Acknowledgments: We thank Melissa Zanini (site selection, mosquito collection/identification, and molecular species identification), Kerri Harding (geocoding, mosquito pool processing and database management), and Ralph Narain (molecular species identification) for excellent technical assistance; N. Petti, R. Chayes, C. Provenzano, and A. Culkin for assistance in processing mosquitoes; Ward Stone and the staff of the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Wildlife Pathology Unit for bird processing and analysis; Laura Kramer and the staff of the New York State Department of Health Arboviruses Laboratories for positive bird and mosquito pool processing and analysis; and Richard Mayer (U.S. Department of Agriculture) for advice on the study.

Financial support: This study was partially supported by Specific Cooperative Agreement #58-5410-4-338 from the United States Department of Agriculture.

^* Address correspondence to Ilia Rochlin, Division of Vector Control, Suffolk County Department of Public Works, 335 Yaphank Avenue, Yaphank, NY 11980-9744. E-mail: ilia.rochlin{at}suffolkcountyny.gov

Authors’ addresses: Ilia Rochlin, Division of Vector Control, Suffolk County Department of Public Works, 335 Yaphank Avenue, Yaphank, NY 11980-9744, E-mail: ilia.rochlin{at}suffolkcountyny.gov. Howard S. Ginsberg, U.S. Geological Survey Patuxent Wildlife Research Center, Coastal Field Station, Woodward Hall-PLS, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI 02881, E-mail: hginsberg{at}usgs.gov. Scott R. Campbell, Arthropod-Borne Disease Laboratory, Suffolk County Department of Health Services, 335 Yaphank Avenue, Yaphank, NY 11980-9744, E-mail: scott.campbell{at}suffolkcountyny.gov.