Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

Abstract #114258

Lin-Li Chang, PhD, Erum Khan Hadi, BSc, MPH, and Sabrina Jaar-Marzouka, JD, MPH. Dutchess County Department of Health, 387 Main Street, Poughkeepsie, NY 12601, (845) 486-3751, lchang@co.dutchess.ny.us

Following the 1999 West Nile Virus (WNV) outbreak in New York City, the State Department of Health (NYSDOH) mandated all neighboring counties to initiate WNV surveillance programs. Dutchess County Department of Health (DCDOH) established a surveillance system to monitor WNV activity in birds and mosquitoes.

A WNV hotline was set up for the public to report dead birds. Information from the birdcalls was entered into a database. Selected birds were shipped to Wadsworth Laboratory. Clarke Mosquito Control Management was contracted to pick up dead birds and collect mosquito pools.

The number of reported dead birds increased by 32% from 2002 to 2003, and decreased by 75% from 2003 to 2004. WNV positive birds increased by 2% in 2003, and decreased by 98% in 2004. Similarly, mosquito collections increased by 22% in 2003, and decreased by 79% in 2004. One positive mosquito pool was found in 2002, and two in 2003. A similar trend was seen in the adjacent counties.

A sudden decrease in WNV activities in Dutchess County in 2004 can be attributed to dying out of susceptible birds, cooler weather, and natural virus cycles. The sudden reduction in dead birds and mosquitoes from 2003 to 2004 is not significant enough to demonstrate that WNV activity is truly decreasing. DCDOH surveillance program needs to continue monitoring the activity of dead birds and mosquito pools to determine the future pattern of WNV and prevent human and animal infections.

Learning Objectives:

• To describe the components and methods of surveillance for West Nile Virus or any other arboviruses
• To discuss WNV activities in Dutchess County and adjacent counties
• To recognize factors such as cool weather that may have effects on virus activities

Keywords: Epidemiology, Surveillance

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

I wish to disclose that I have NO financial interests or other relationship with the manufactures of commercial products, suppliers of commercial services or commercial supporters.

Recorded presentation