Multi-species interactions in West Nile virus infection

J Biol Dyn. 2012:6:281-98. doi: 10.1080/17513758.2011.571721. Epub 2011 Nov 25.

Abstract

In this paper, we analyse the interaction of different species of birds and mosquitoes on the dynamics of West Nile virus (WNV) infection. We study the different transmission efficiencies of the vectors and birds and the impact on the possible outbreaks. We show that the basic reproductive number is the weighted mean of the basic reproductive number of each species, weighted by the relative abundance of its population in the location. These results suggest a possible explanation of why there are no outbreaks of WNV in Mexico.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Birds / virology
  • Culicidae / virology
  • Insect Vectors / virology
  • North America / epidemiology
  • Population Density
  • Species Specificity
  • Time Factors
  • West Nile Fever / epidemiology*
  • West Nile Fever / transmission
  • West Nile Fever / virology*
  • West Nile virus / physiology*