Eastern Equine Encephalitis is maintained in which ecological cycle and by which mosquito species?

Eastern Equine Encephalitis is maintained in which ecological cycle and by which mosquito species?

• A. Maintained in bird cycle by Culiseta melanura
• B. Found along Atlantic & Gulf coasts
• C. Vaccines available for humans
• D. Primary vector: Aedes aegypti

Answer: (A)

Eastern Equine Encephalitis virus is kept in a bird–mosquito enzootic cycle, with Culiseta melanura as the primary vector maintaining that cycle. These mosquitoes breed in swampy, woodland marshes and feed predominantly on birds, transmitting the virus among avian hosts and sustaining the cycle in nature. Humans and horses are incidental hosts and typically acquire infection only when the virus spills over via other bridge vectors that bite both birds and mammals. This is the best answer because it directly describes how the virus persists in nature and which mosquito species is responsible for maintaining that persistence in the bird population. The other statements refer to geographic distribution, the existence of human vaccines, or the wrong mosquito species, none of which address the maintenance cycle and primary vector.

Eastern Equine Encephalitis virus is kept in a bird–mosquito enzootic cycle, with Culiseta melanura as the primary vector maintaining that cycle. These mosquitoes breed in swampy, woodland marshes and feed predominantly on birds, transmitting the virus among avian hosts and sustaining the cycle in nature. Humans and horses are incidental hosts and typically acquire infection only when the virus spills over via other bridge vectors that bite both birds and mammals.

This is the best answer because it directly describes how the virus persists in nature and which mosquito species is responsible for maintaining that persistence in the bird population. The other statements refer to geographic distribution, the existence of human vaccines, or the wrong mosquito species, none of which address the maintenance cycle and primary vector.