Evolution of new genotype of west nile virus in North America
- Allison Rebecca McMullen,
- Fiona J. May,
- Li Li,
- Hilda Guzman,
- Rudy Bueno,
- James A. Dennett
- ,
- University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston,
- Harris County Public Health and Environmental Services
Open access
Sustainable Development Goals
SDG 3 Good Health and Well
Abstract
Previous studies of North American isolates of West Nile virus (WNV) during 1999-2005 suggested that the virus had reached genetic homeostasis in North America. However, genomic sequencing of WNV isolates from Harris County, Texas, during 2002-2009 suggests that this is not the case. Three new genetic groups have been identifi ed in Texas since 2005. Spread of the southwestern US genotype (SW/WN03) from the Arizona/Colorado/northern Mexico region to California, Illinois, New Mexico, New York, North Dakota, and the Texas Gulf Coast demonstrates continued evolution of WNV. Thus, WNV continues to evolve in North America, as demonstrated by selection of this new genotype. Continued surveillance of the virus is essential as it continues to evolve in the New World.
Publication Information
Output type
Original language
English (US)Pages from-to (Number of pages)
Pages 785-793 (9 pages)Journal (Volume, Issue Number)
Emerging Infectious Diseases (Volume 17, Issue 5)Publication milestones
- Published - 2011
Publication status
ISSN
1080-6040Publication IDs
- Scopus: 79955813772
- PubMed: 21529385