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Virus
Detection
 Arboviruses are viruses spread by arthropods, which
includes mosquitoes. Mosquito-borne viruses seen in
Pinellas are West Nile virus, St. Louis encephalitis,
and Eastern Equine Encephalitis. Birds are usually
the source of infection for mosquitoes, which can then
spread the infection to other birds, horses, and people.
The viruses normally cycle between birds and mosquitoes,
with the virus reproducing and increasing in number
within the host organism.
Different
arboviruses are carried and transmitted by different
kinds of mosquitoes. The presence of an
arbovirus in a particular area depends on the availability
of specific types of mosquitoes that can carry it
and the number of birds in an area. Virus rates are
often
amplified during dry periods when the birds and mosquitoes
are congregated in areas where water is available.
Mosquito Control has 8 chicken coops in the county.
Chickens are used as a screening mechanism to determine
the presence or level of virus circulating in the mosquito-bird
cycle. Because chickens are domesticated birds, they
are easy to handle and maintain yet still provide information
as to the level of virus circulating in the wild bird
population. Mosquito Control staff take samples of
the chickens’ blood each week; the Florida Department
of Health Laboratory screens the samples for the presence
of St. Louis encephalitis (SLE), Eastern equine encephalitis
(EEE), and West Nile virus (WN).
The Pinellas County Health Department alerts Mosquito
Control when an imported case, contracted in another
area or country, of malaria or dengue is diagnosed.
Mosquito Control then does surveillance and treatment,
if warranted, to prevent the disease from being transmitted
here.
(727)
464-7503 -- E-mail
Mosquito
Control Request Form |
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