Overwintering of Western Equine Encephalitis Virus.

Abstract
Thamnophis spp. snakes were injected intraperitoneally with WEE virus, then allowed to hibernate in outside cages simulating natural conditions, from December 11, 1959 through April 28, 1960 Snakes were bled 19, 64,92, and 139 days after virus injection. Virus in the blood decreased in quantity and in the number of snakes found positive as winter progressed, only 1 of 14 snake-bloods being positive in 10-1 for virus in March. The April bleedings after 139 days of hibernation, showed that virus was present in 9 to 14 snakes varying in titer from 10-1 to 10-3.5. The results suggest a possible natural host for maintenance of WEE virus in nature.
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