Overwintering of Western Equine Encephalomyelitis Virus in Garter Snakes Experimentally Infected by Culex tarsalis

Abstract

Garter snakes were infected with western equine encephalomyelitis (WEE) virus by the bites of experimentally infected Culex tarsalis. The snakes hibernated overwinter under simulated natural conditions and viremia was detected up to 69 days after emergence the following spring. Snakes which were maintained at room temperature after emergence developed viremia within a few days, while those maintained under simulated natural conditions required up to approximately 5 weeks. As shown in previous studies, circulating virus was detected in concentrations sufficient to infect C. tarsalis. The use of fish tags proved satisfactory in assuring positive identification of individual snakes.