Landscape ecology of arboviruses in southern California: temporal and spatial patterns of vector and virus activity in Coachella Valley, 1990-1992

Consistent temporal and spatial patterns in the activity of Culex tarsalis Coquillett and western equine encephalomyelitis (WEE) and St. Louis encephalitis (SLE) viruses were delineated that were useful in developing a stratified surveillance program. Vernal increases in Cx. tarsalis abundance typically were associated with flooding of saline marshes along the north shore of the Salton Sea and were followed 6-8 wk later by the onset of WEE and SLE virus activity. Viruses then spread to managed marsh (duck club) and agricultural habitats in the Whitewater Channel flood plain and, depending upon the intensity of amplification, to agricultural and residential areas in the more elevated northwestern portion of the valley. Mean annual Cx. tarsalis abundance was correlated inversely with elevation and distance from the Salton Sea. Abundance was greatest at managed marsh habitats. Although spatially correlated with vector abundance among sites, virus transmission rates to sentinel chickens were asynchronous temporally with vector abundance. Seroconversion rates were related to flock location but not flock size (10 versus 20 chickens). Human cases were not detected during the study period, despite elevated transmission rates of both WEE and SLE viruses to sentinel chickens positioned in peridomestic habitats