# West Nile virus control through mosquitocidal avian bloodmeals

> **NIH NIH R01** · COLORADO STATE UNIVERSITY · 2023 · $577,797

## 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:** 10691916
- **Project number:** 5R01AI148633-04
- **Recipient organization:** COLORADO STATE UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** BRIAN David FOY
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2023
- **Award amount:** $577,797
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2020-09-22 → 2025-08-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10691916

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10691916, West Nile virus control through mosquitocidal avian bloodmeals (5R01AI148633-04). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-22 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10691916. Licensed CC0.

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