What is the vector for Western Equine Encephalitis (WEE)?

What is the vector for Western Equine Encephalitis (WEE)?

• A. Ae. melanimon
• B. Ae. tahoensis
• C. Ae. taeniorynchus
• D. Ae. notoscriptus

Answer: (A)

Western Equine Encephalitis virus relies on mosquitoes that will feed on birds and can transmit the virus, sustaining an enzootic cycle. Among these options, Ae. melanimon is a known WEE vector in the western United States because it readily feeds on avian hosts and has demonstrated the capacity to acquire and transmit the virus. The other species have less evidence as WEE vectors or are less involved in the critical bird–mosquito transmission cycle, making them less likely primary vectors in this context.

Western Equine Encephalitis virus relies on mosquitoes that will feed on birds and can transmit the virus, sustaining an enzootic cycle. Among these options, Ae. melanimon is a known WEE vector in the western United States because it readily feeds on avian hosts and has demonstrated the capacity to acquire and transmit the virus. The other species have less evidence as WEE vectors or are less involved in the critical bird–mosquito transmission cycle, making them less likely primary vectors in this context.