West Nile virus control through mosquitocidal avian bloodmeals

NIH RePORTER · NIH · R01 · $624,808 · view on reporter.nih.gov ↗

Abstract

Project Summary West Nile virus (WNV) is a mosquito-borne flavivirus, and the leading cause of domestically-acquired arboviral disease in the United States, resulting in significant disease and death every year among humans and other animals. Efficacious, vector-targeted interventions are critically needed, but current vector control methods (primarily insecticides sprayed into the environment) have been inadequate for WNV control. We have been developing and testing stations that contain endectocide-treated bird feed as a way to control WNV transmission to humans in the western U.S., the region which suffers from the highest incidence WNV disease in North America, by targeting the primary bridge vector mosquito, Culex tarsalis. This project is designed to develop endectocide-treated birdfeed as a novel, safe and scientifically-validated way to control the risk of West Nile virus transmission to humans in the western U.S. The concept is that birds will self-medicate by birdfeed stations containing the treated feed, which would be placed as arrays on homeowners' properties, in neighborhoods or in parks. The blood of treated birds would then kill the primary mosquito vectors of West Nile virus that blood feed on them, which would lower the risk of West Nile virus transmission to people who live, work and recreate around the birdfeed stations.

Key facts

NIH application ID
10454977
Project number
5R01AI148633-03
Recipient
COLORADO STATE UNIVERSITY
Principal Investigator
BRIAN David FOY
Activity code
R01
Funding institute
NIH
Fiscal year
2022
Award amount
$624,808
Award type
5
Project period
2020-09-22 → 2025-08-31