| What is a mosquito pool?
 During the mosquito season we collect adult mosquito pools
to test for mosquito borne diseases. A mosquito pool is a collection
of mosquitoes (usually about 50) of any given species or
group (i.e. Culex mosquitoes) that are likely to carry/transmit
a virus. Since stagnant water Culex mosquitoes are the primary
mosquitoes implicated in transmission of West Nile Virus
(WNV), and Saint Louis Encephalitis (SLE) , and Western Equine
Encephalitis (WEE) they are this species is targeted for
testing.
What is the VecTest? The VecTest is a WNV/SLE/WEE antigen panel assay designed
by Medical Analysis
Systems, Inc. Basically, it's a rapid detection dipstick test
for West Nile Virus (WNV) , Saint Louis Encephalitis (SLE), and
Western Equine Encephalitis (WEE). Mosquitoes are ground up in
a special solution and then wicked up on to a test strip. The
antigen for WNV/SLE, if present, binds to specific antibody on
the test strip producing a reddish color change indicating the
presence of viral antigen in the sample. The assay doesn't measure
the quantity of viral antigen in a sample only the presence of
it.
By keeping track of positive VecTest mosquito pools we will
be able to better monitor the distribution of these viruses
in the
District. A positive mosquito pool means that local mosquitoes
are infected with the virus and possibly capable of transmitting
it to other hosts. By combining this information with bird surveillance
records, horse and human viral infection data, we can better,
and more quickly, adapt/enhance our control practices and further
reduce the potential for people acquiring mosquito transmitted
diseases.
As of today, all mosquitoes have
tested NEGATIVE!
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