EVALUATION OF STORM DRAIN SYSTEM COMPONENTS FOR ABUNDANCE OF THE PRIMARY WEST NILE VIRUS VECTOR IN FORT WORTH

Date

2014-03

Authors

Bhandarkar Srinivas, Kiran
Bennett, Brandon S.
Lee, Joon-Hak

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Abstract

Purpose (a): In order to better assess and control the risk of human exposure to the West Nile virus (WNV), it is necessary to identify breeding habitats of the WNV mosquito vector and understand habitat-associated environmental factors affecting dynamics of the mosquito population. In an urban setting, storm drain systems have been considered a primary breeding site for the primary WNV vector mosquito, Culex quinquefasciatus. The objective of this study was to associate the abundance of the primary West Nile virus vector with components of the urban storm drain system in Fort Worth. Methods (b): Weekly abundance of the primary WNV mosquito was monitored in 50 locations across the City of Fort Worth from June through October, 2013. The data on the storm drain systems was obtained from the City of Fort Worth. In order to test an association of the WNV primary vector abundance with each component of the City’s storm drain system, Spearman’s correlation, t-test or ANOVA was used. Results (c): Spearman’s correlation showed that more mosquitoes were captured at the collection sites that had a manhole within an area with 400 feet (ρ = 0.293, p-value = 0.039) from the collection site. The female Culex mosquito counts were considerably higher in areas that had a pond within the circled area of 800 feet (ρ = 0.303, p-value = 0.033) from the collection site. The number of storm drain inlets, in falls, outfalls and swimming pools however, had considerably lower number of captured mosquitoes. Further analysis was done using ANOVA and t-test to determine association. Significant association was seen with manholes at 400 feet (t= -2.320, p value = 0.025, df = 48) from the trapping site while inlets and ponds at any distance did not show any significant association. Conclusions (d): The number of storm drain inlets which is considered to be a primary breeding site for the Culex quinquefasciatus mosquito does not have any relationship in determining the mosquito population. The presence of manhole or ponds appeared to have an influence on the vector population abundance. An increase in the sample size would be necessary to establish an association between the storm drain inlet and mosquito abundance.

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