EPIDEMIOLOGIC STUDIES OF VENEZUELAN EQUINE ENCEPHALITIS VIRUS IN ALMIRANTE, PANAMA1

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Abstract
Grayson, M. A. and P. Galindo (Gorgas Memorial Laboratory, Panama, Re-public of Panama). Epidemiologic studies of Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus in Almirante, Panama.Amer. J. Epid., 1968, 88: 80–96. —Forty-three isolations of Venezuelan equine encephalitis (VEE) virus were made from specimens collected or exposed in a tropical rainforest area of Panama during 1961 and 1962. Six isolates were recovered from febrile patients, seven from field rodents and nine from at least six species of wild birds. Twelve strains of VEE virus were obtained from at least four species of mosquitoes, and nine litters of sentinel mice exposed to the bites of bloodsucking insects also yielded the virus. Serologic evidence of VEE virus activity in the area before 1961 was acquired. Antibodies to VEE virus were detected in 25 species of vertebrates including humans, equines, bovines, canines and domestic fowl as well as several species of wild mammals, birds and reptiles. Human infections with VEE virus were widespread, occurred nearly uniformly in both sexes and were associated with length and place of residence in Almirante. The accumulated evidence suggests that VEE is endemic in Almirante, Panama; that rodents, especially the cotton rat (Sigmodon hispidus), are important reservoirs; and that Culex (Melanoconion) mosquitoes, in particular, C. (M.) taeniopus, are the most efficient vectors of this virus in the area.