Online spatial database of US Army Public Health Command Region-West mosquito surveillance records: 1947-2009.

Mosquito surveillance records from the US Army Public Health Command Region-West (APHCR-W) were georeferenced and made available online via the database mapping application MosquitoMap (www.mosquitomap.org). This article briefly reviews the history of the APHCR-W surveillance program and some characteristics of the resulting dataset, which numbers over 100,000 records mainly from US Department of Defense (DoD) facilities in the western United States from 1947 to 2009. The value of past and future DoD mosquito surveillance efforts can be increased by reporting the location of collection data in online spatial databases such as MosquitoMap.

Satellite vegetation index data as a tool to forecast population dynamics of medically important mosquitoes at military installations in the continental United States.

The United States faces many existing and emerging mosquito-borne disease threats, such as West Nile virus and Rift Valley fever. An important component of strategic prevention and control plans for these and other mosquito-borne diseases is forecasting the distribution, timing, and abundance of mosquito vector populations. Populations of many medically important mosquito species are closely tied to climate, and historical climate-population associations may be used to predict future population dynamics. Using 2003-2005 U.S. Army Center for Health Promotion and Preventive Medicine mosquito surveillance data, we looked at populations of several known mosquito vectors of West Nile virus, as well as possible mosquito vectors of Rift Valley fever virus, at continental U.S. military installations. We compared population changes with concurrent patterns for a satellite-derived index of climate (normalized difference vegetation index) and observed instances of population changes appearing to be direct responses to climate. These preliminary findings are important first steps in developing an automated, climate-driven, early warning system to flag regions of the United States at elevated risk of mosquito-borne disease transmission.

Distribution of mosquitoes in Washington state.

The emergence of West Nile virus in the United States renewed vigilance for mosquito-borne diseases and rejuvenated mosquito surveillance activities in Washington State. As part of these activities, the Zoonotic Disease Program, Washington Department of Health, and the United States Army Center for Health Promotion and Preventive Medicine-West collaborated to produce this revision of the distribution of mosquitoes in Washington State. Data from these organizations, the US Air Force, and county surveillance records, as well as published literature and mosquito collections, were used to develop this statewide mosquito distribution checklist.

Distribution of Ochlerotatus togoi along the Pacific coast of Washington.

Before this study, the mosquito Ochlerotatus (Finlaya) togoi (Theobald) had been reported from only 2 locations within the continental United States, both of which were documented in Washington State. This study used active and passive surveillance to determine the current distribution of Oc. togoi along the Pacific Coast of Washington. Results of the study show that small, but stable, populations of Oc. togoi exist in the northern San Juan Island region of Puget Sound. Geological formations in this region are conducive to rock holes and support populations of Oc. togoi. No members of Oc. togoi were found on the southwestern Washington coast, the coast of the Olympic Peninsula, or in the lower Puget Sound.

First occurrence of Ochlerotatus japonicus in the state of Washington.

This is a report on the 1st occurrence of Ochlerotatus japonicus in the state of Washington. In August through November 2001, immature stages were found near the King County communities of Carnation (2 sites), Black Diamond, Kent, and Issaquah and were reared to the adult stage for identification and preservation.

Occurrence of Dermacentor variabilis (Acari: Ixodidae) around a porcupine (Rodentia: Erthethizontidae) carcass at Camp Ripley, Minnesota.

In May 2000, a dead porcupine (Erethizon dorsatum Culiver) was found on an infrequently traveled dirt road at Camp Ripley, MN. The presence of late instar Calliphoridae suggested that the porcupine died within the past 4 to 7 d. Adult carrion (Silphidae) and rove (Staphylinidae) beetles were observed under the carcass. In June, a large number of adult American dog ticks, Dermacentor variabilis (Say), were observed questing on the porcupine and the surrounding grass. Six zones were established around the carcass, and each zone was sampled for ticks once a month from June through September. Ticks were captured in June and July, and 93% were captured within 2 m of the carcass. Gases released as part of the decomposition process were believed to attract the ticks to the carcass.