Ecological factors associated with West Nile virus transmission, northeastern United States

Since 1999, West Nile virus (WNV) disease has affected the northeastern United States. To describe the spatial epidemiology and identify risk factors for disease incidence, we analyzed 8 years (1999-2006) of county-based human WNV disease surveillance data. Among the 56.6 million residents in 8 nort...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Emerging infectious diseases 2008-10, Vol.14 (10), p.1539-1545
Main Authors: Brown, Heidi E, Childs, James E, Diuk-Wasser, Maria A, Fish, Durland
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animals
Birds - virology
Care and treatment
Culicidae - virology
Diagnosis
Disease Outbreaks
Disease Vectors
Distribution
Ecosystem
Health aspects
Humans
Linear Models
Models, Biological
New England - epidemiology
Risk Factors
Urban Population
West Nile fever
West Nile Fever - epidemiology
West Nile Fever - transmission
West Nile virus
West Nile virus - isolation & purification
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Summary:Since 1999, West Nile virus (WNV) disease has affected the northeastern United States. To describe the spatial epidemiology and identify risk factors for disease incidence, we analyzed 8 years (1999-2006) of county-based human WNV disease surveillance data. Among the 56.6 million residents in 8 northeastern states sharing primary enzootic vectors, we found 977 cases. We controlled for population density and potential bias from surveillance and spatial proximity. Analyses demonstrated significant spatial spreading from 1999 through 2004 (p70%) forest cover. These results quantify urbanization as a risk factor for WNV disease incidence and are consistent with knowledge of vector species in this area.
ISSN:1080-6040
1080-6059
DOI:10.3201/eid1410.071396