MEDICAL ENTOMOLOGY LABORATORY REPORT 2004

 

The mission of the Medical Entomology Laboratory is to refine and maximize the CMMCP’s ongoing effort to control mosquitoes.  During 2004 Medical Entomology Laboratory personnel carried forward this mission in the following ways.

 

Made educational presentations about mosquito biology and mosquito control practices to:

 

·         Elementary school students

·         Mosquito control practitioners

·                   Municipal officials

 

The Medical Entomology Laboratory's physical capabilities were improved during 2004 by the acquisition of the following equipment.

 

·         CDC Miniature Light Traps and Modified Reiter Gravid Traps

·         BioQuip Laboratory Chill Table

·         Leica StereoZoom S6 E Series Microscope

 

During 2004 the Medical Entomology Laboratory used modified Reiter Gravid Traps to monitor the adult mosquito population for West Nile virus.   These traps are attractive to the mosquito species thought most likely to have a role in the maintenance and spread of West Nile virus in the United States of America.

 

Mosquito traps which use light and/or carbon dioxide gas to attract the vectors of West Nile and Eastern Equine Encephalitis were also used during 2004.

 

During 2004 three interns were employed for part of the season to operate the mosquito surveillance traps.  Using their knowledge of mosquito behavior and the local terrain, these skilled and experienced personnel monitored the adult mosquito population.  The data and specimens collected were shared with the Massachusetts Department of Public Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

 

The adult mosquitoes collected were tested for the presence of West Nile virus and Eastern Equine Encephalitis virus.

 

None of the specimens collected tested positive for West Nile virus.

 

In two instances pools of mosquitoes submitted for testing were found positive for Eastern Equine Encephalitis virus. The mosquitoes were caught in traps set in response to two horse deaths caused by Eastern Equine Encephalomyelitis.  Further surveillance did not provide any additional positive findings.  The surveillance indicates that this pathogen was circulating in the local environment during 2004.

 

The Medical Entomology Laboratory is committed to the advancement of mosquito control practices by the application of the scientific method.  Such a commitment will further enable the Central Massachusetts Mosquito Control Project to provide its member communities with quality mosquito control for comfort and health.

 

ARBOVIRUS SUMMARY 2004

 

WNV Surveillance Summary – Statewide

 

 

Dead Birds Reported

1,688

Birds Submitted for Testing

106

Birds Tested

86

Birds Positive

8

Mosquito Pools Positive

15

Horses Positive

0

Humans Positive

0

 

 

EEE Surveillance Summary – Statewide

 

 

Mosquito Pools Positive

39

Horses Positive

7

Humans Positive

4

 

 

NOTE: An emu from Essex County and an alpaca from Middlesex County tested positive for EEE in 2004.

 

 

 

 

CMMCP Surveillance Summary

 

 

 

 

Mosquito Pools Submitted

1,030

# Mosquitoes Tested (total)

8,280

Mosquito Pools Positive WNV

0

Horses Positive WNV

0

Humans Positive WNV

0

 

 

Pools Positive EEE

2 (Billerica & Wilmington)

Horses Positive EEE

2 (Billerica & Wilmington)

Humans Positive EEE

0