Arboviral Surveillance throughout the United States Symposium
Arboviral Surveillance throughout the United States Symposium
The Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) Arbovirus-Entomology Laboratory supports local jurisdictions with mosquito surveillance activities by providing species identification, population counts, arbovirus testing, and insecticide resistance testing services. A small number of counties in Texas have the capability to identify and test mosquitoes for arboviruses internally. In addition, there are commercial entities and academic institutions that can provide mosquito identification and arbovirus testing services to local jurisdictions. All statewide arbovirus-positive mosquito pool data is reported to the DSHS Zoonosis Control Branch, where it is compiled, summarized, and reported to the CDC through ArboNET. This presentation will cover current mosquito testing protocols utilized by the DSHS Arbovirus-Entomology Laboratory and other agencies in Texas. Historical data will be presented, highlighting the most common arboviruses detected in Texas mosquitoes. West Nile virus is the most prevalent mosquito-borne arbovirus picked up in mosquito pools each year, since it was first detected in the state in 2002. Other mosquito-borne pathogens of concern include eastern equine encephalitis virus, the dengue viruses, and malaria. Future directions for mosquito testing in Texas, as well as challenges, will be discussed.