ASSESSING AVIFAUNA AT WEST NILE VIRUS SURVEILLANCE SITES**

Authors

Amber Holley, Valdosta State University, Biology DepartmentFollow
Kelsey Griffin, Valdosta State University, Biology DepartmentFollow
Sarah Youngblood, Valdosta State University, Biology Department
Erin Grabarczyk, Valdosta State University, Biology DepartmentFollow
Mark Blackmore, Valdosta State University, Biology DepartmentFollow

Abstract

West Nile virus (WNV) is an avian pathogen that is transmitted by mosquito vectors to susceptible birds and dead-end hosts such as humans and horses. WNV was first detected in Georgia in 2001 and has become endemic in the state. Surveillance in Lowndes Co., GA has identified foci of virus activity in mosquitoes, but it is not clear how this relates to the avifauna at these locations. Diversity and density of bird populations are being assessed using passive acoustic monitoring devices paired with point counts at 14 locations where long-term vector surveillance has been conducted. Our study is an essential step towards understanding how avian communities predict WNV in mosquito and human populations.

Recommended Citation

Holley, Amber; Griffin, Kelsey; Youngblood, Sarah; Grabarczyk, Erin; and Blackmore, Mark (2020) "ASSESSING AVIFAUNA AT WEST NILE VIRUS SURVEILLANCE SITES**," Georgia Journal of Science, Vol. 78, No. 1, Article 36.
Available at: https://digitalcommons.gaacademy.org/gjs/vol78/iss1/36