Further Evidence of Southward Transport of Arboviruses by Migratory Birds

Lord, R. D. and C. H. Calisher (Arbovirology Unit, NCDC, Atlanta, Ga. 30333). Further evidence of southward transport of arboviruses by migratory birds. Amer. J. Epid., 1970, 92: 73–78. During the summer and early autumn of 1965, activity of the viruses of eastern and western equine encephalomyelitis (EEE and WEE) was widespread on the Atlantic seaboard of the United States and resulted in the infection of many southward-bound migrating birds. Twenty-three isolations of EEE virus and four of WEE virus were made from 1,506 birds captured at seven sites along the Atlantic seaboard, from Maryland to south Florida. Of these isolations, 16 of EEE virus and two of WEE virus were from 14 species of birds actively migrating southward along the Atlantic Flyway, which ultimately leads across the Antilles to South America.