Prevalence of California Serogroup Viruses on the Avalon Peninsula

Bassett, P. Kate (2014) Prevalence of California Serogroup Viruses on the Avalon Peninsula. Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

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Abstract

Arthropod-borne diseases negatively affect humans worldwide. Understanding the biology of the arthropod vectors and the pathogenic organisms they harbour has been a moving target as a result of climate change, degradation of ecosystems, and long distance travel. Two viruses within the California serogroup (CSV), snowshoe hare virus (SSHV) and Jamestown Canyon virus (JCV), had been identified in Newfoundland, Canada, in a study conducted from 1980-1983. Little work had been done on CSV in Newfoundland in the 30 years since. The current study was designed to determine whether these viruses still persist on the island Are these viruses still persisting on the Island; if so, which mosquito species are vectors of these viruses, and when is infection likely to occur in mammalian hosts? Evidence of infection by SSHV was found in the local snowshoe hare population and sentinel rabbits housed outdoors. The timing of observed infections was associated with peak mosquito activity. Fifteen mosquito species were collected and identified. Two pools of mosquitoes were identified as containing SSHV: one pool containing only Aedes canadensis, and another containing a mixed pool of Aedes pionips, Aedes punctor, and Aedes abserratus. A partial SSHV sequence was obtained from the mosquitoes and phylogenetically analyzed. Based on these findings, SSHV is currently circulating on the Island of Newfoundland.

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