Sudia W D, McLean R G, Newhouse V F, Johnston J G, Miller D L, Trevino H, Bowen G S, Sather G
Am J Epidemiol. 1975 Jan;101(1):36-50. doi: 10.1093/oxfordjournals.aje.a112069.
Epidemic Venezuelan equine encephalitis in North America in 1971: vertebrate field studies. Am J Epidemiol 101:36-50, 1975.-In June 1971, epidemic Venezuelan equine encephalitis (VEE) invaded the lower Rio Grande Valley in south Texas. The Boca Chica area of Cameron County was selected as a study site to investigate vertebrate involvement in the natural cycle of epidemic VEE on the basis of considerable evidence of VEE virus activity there in equines, humans, and mosquito vectors. Only one VEE virus isolation was made from 4739 wild and domestic non-equine vertebrates, although numerous equine and human VEE virus isolations were made in concurrent studies. Serologic studies indicated that VEE virus activity was far greater in large domestic animals than in wild birds, wild mammals, or reptiles. Apparently epidemic VEE virus failed to establish itself in a wild vertebrate cycle in south Texas, since VEE antibody was found only in rabbits in 1972. Eventual cessation of VEE transmission in south Texas has been attributed 1) to the elimination of equines as a source of VEE virus by death, naturally acquired antibodies, or vaccination, 2) to quarantines, 3) to mosquito control, and 4) to the failure of epidemic VEE virus to become established in the wild vertebrate population. Equines emerge as the most important vertebrate host in the amplification and spread of virus during an epidemic of VEE.
1971年北美委内瑞拉马脑炎流行：脊椎动物野外研究。《美国流行病学杂志》101:36 - 50，1975年。——1971年6月，委内瑞拉马脑炎（VEE）疫情侵袭了德克萨斯州南部的下里奥格兰德河谷。卡梅伦县的博卡奇卡地区被选为研究地点，以调查脊椎动物在VEE流行自然循环中的作用，因为在该地区的马、人类和蚊媒中已有大量VEE病毒活动的证据。在4739只野生和家养的非马脊椎动物中仅分离出1株VEE病毒，而同期对马和人类的研究中分离出了大量VEE病毒。血清学研究表明，VEE病毒在家养大型动物中的活动远比在野生鸟类、野生哺乳动物或爬行动物中活跃。显然，流行的VEE病毒未能在德克萨斯州南部的野生脊椎动物循环中立足，因为1972年仅在兔子中发现了VEE抗体。德克萨斯州南部VEE传播最终停止的原因被归结为：1）马作为VEE病毒来源因死亡、自然获得抗体或接种疫苗而被消除；2）检疫措施；3）蚊虫控制；4）流行的VEE病毒未能在野生脊椎动物群体中立足。在VEE流行期间，马成为病毒扩增和传播中最重要的脊椎动物宿主。
