Dual Infections of Eastern and Western Equine Encephalitis Viruses in Culex Tarsalis

Abstract

Culex tarsalis mosquitoes were given a meal of blood containing Eastern equine encephalitis virus and, a week later, one containing Western equine encephalitis virus. After incubation, all mosquito specimens tested were infected with both viruses, with the concentrations of each virus in their bodies equivalent to those in control mosquitoes fed only one virus or the other. Both viruses were transmitted concurrently on several occasions.