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West Nile Virus

West Nile Virus. What’s New in the Wildlife Arena? November 2003. 1. Emi Kate Saito. Background: Born/raised Pittsburgh PA BS, 1993: U. of WI – Madison Zoology, Biological Aspects of Conservation VMD, 1997: U. of PA MSPH, 2001: Emory U. Epidemiology WNV-related work:

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West Nile Virus

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  1. West Nile Virus What’s New in the Wildlife Arena? November 2003

  2. 1 Emi Kate Saito • Background: • Born/raised Pittsburgh PA • BS, 1993: U. of WI – Madison • Zoology, Biological Aspects of Conservation • VMD, 1997: U. of PA • MSPH, 2001: Emory U. • Epidemiology • WNV-related work: • Dekalb Co. Board of Health, Atlanta GA (2001) • NWHC, Madison WI (since 2002) (I’m the one on the far left – INCDNCM 2003, AZ)

  3. 2 Famous last words in Emi’s life: • From a guidance counselor in high school: • “Why don’t you become a veterinarian? They work a nice M-F, 9-5 job.” • Ha. • Upon graduating from college: • “I want to be a field biologist. I’ll get my veterinary degree so I can treat my subjects if they get sick/injured.” • =little sleep & little pay • Upon graduating from vet school: • “My head hurts. I think my brain is full.”

  4. 3 Basic Virus Review • Family:Flaviviridae • Genus:Flavivirus Japanese Encephalitis Antigenic Complex • Complex includes: Japanese Encephalitis St. Louis Encephalitis Usutu - Austria 2002, 2003 West Nile

  5. Virus Virus 4 Transmission

  6. 5 Role of Wildlife in Maintenance of WNV

  7. 6 Clinical Signs • Found Dead • General weakness, lethargy • Emaciation • Sedentary • Difficulty maintaining balance, trembling • Inability to walk, perch, stand, or fly • Do not respond normally to danger

  8. 7 Dead bird mortality, 2003 • As of 11/3/2003: • approximately 13,000 dead birds found positive • 44 states + DC • Although state of MD not testing birds, positive birds found from military installations in MD • ID, NV, OR, WA • 7 Canadian Provinces • Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec, Saskatchewan, Alberta, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia

  9. 8 Also in the Western Hemisphere… • Resident/non-migratory birds • Mexico • Dominican Republic • Jamaica • El Salvador?

  10. 9 # Species Affected • at least 171 dead avian species • another 35 antibody-positive • 23 mammals (including equids) • another 6 antibody-positive • prairie dogs? unconfirmed • 1 reptile • another antibody-positive

  11. 10 2003 WNV-Related Wildlife Mortality Events • American White Pelicans • Raptors • Black Vultures • Squirrels Captive/Farmed: • Alligators

  12. 11 Other Wildlife Mortality • Cotton-tail rabbits -- WY • Crows- WA

  13. 12 Testing Methods • Specimens • Organs • Oropharyngeal/cloacal swabs • Immature feathers (blood quills) • Tests • Virus Isolation • RT-PCR • VecTest

  14. 13 Utility of Continuing Dead Bird Testing and Reporting • Dead (positive) birds continue to serve as early indicator of human risk of infection • Arboviral panel/Diagnostic evaluation of dead wildlife can lead to discovery of other agents of concern • Dead bird reporting (or lack of) may indicate higher risk areas, as well as indicate areas where need to target more education campaigns • Further understanding of epidemiology and ecology of virus in North America

  15. 14 Why to stop testing… • Cost of shipping, testing, staff to collect • Inconvenience – lots of phone calls, particularly after the 1st positive • If it’s known to be in the area, could solely focus on mosquito testing… • VecTest useful – designed for mosquito testing, cheaper, considered to have acceptable sensitivity/specificity for surveillance purposes

  16. 15 Research Update…

  17. 16 Some studies to mention: • Crows in IL • Crows in OK • Blue Jays in OH • Herps • Bird Counts • Bird vaccination studies

  18. 17 Thank you for your attention! Any questions? esaito@usgs.gov 608-270-2456

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