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Eastern equine encephalitis virus: a scoping review of the global evidence

Corrin, T. and Ackford, R. and Mascarenhas, M. and Greig, J. and Waddell, L. A.

Vector Borne and Zoonotic Diseases (2021) 21: 305–320

DOI: 10.1089/vbz.2020.2671

Abstract

Background: Eastern equine encephalitis virus (EEEV) is a mosquito-borne virus that is primarily found in North America and the Caribbean. Over the past decade there has been an increase in virus activity, including large outbreaks in human and horse populations. Predicted climate change is expected to affect the range of mosquitoes including vectors of EEEV, which may alter disease risk posing a public health concern. Methods: A scoping review (ScR) was conducted to identify and characterize the global evidence on EEEV. A thorough search was conducted in relevant bibliographic databases and government websites. Two reviewers screened titles and abstracts for relevance and the characteristics of relevant articles were extracted using a uniformly implemented data collection form. The study protocol was developed a priori and described the methods and tools used and this article follows the PRISMA-ScR guidelines for reporting ScRs. Results: The ScR included 718 relevant research articles. The majority of the articles originated from North America (97%) between 1933 and 2019. EEEV has been identified in 35 species of mosquitoes, over 200 species of birds, various domestic animals, wild mammals, reptiles, and amphibians. Articles identified in this ScR primarily covered three topic areas: epidemiology of hosts and vectors (344 articles) including surveillance results (138), pathogenesis of EEEV in hosts (193), and in vitro studies characterizing EEEV (111). Fewer articles evaluated the accuracy of diagnostic tests (63), the efficacy of mitigation strategies (62), transmission dynamics (56), treatment of EEEV in hosts (10), societal knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions (4), and economic burden (2). Conclusion: With the projected impact of climate change on mosquito populations, it is expected that the risk of EEEV could change resulting in higher disease burden or spread into previously unaffected areas. Future research efforts should focus on closing some of the important knowledge gaps identified in this ScR.

Citation

Corrin, T., Ackford, R., Mascarenhas, M., Greig, J., & Waddell, L. A. (2021). Eastern equine encephalitis virus: a scoping review of the global evidence. Vector Borne and Zoonotic Diseases, 21(5), 305–320. https://doi.org/10.1089/vbz.2020.2671 mammals, systematic reviews, epidemiology, literature reviews, in vitro, public health, Amphibia, birds, reptiles, wild animals, disease transmission, domestic animals, hosts, livestock, diagnosis, diagnostic techniques, outbreaks, attitudes, climate change, efficacy, pathogenesis, pathogenicity, Encephalitis, climatic change, North America, identification, Caribbean, Prion, Viral, Bacterial and Fungal Pathogens of Animals [LL821], climate, vector-borne diseases, West Indies, Eastern equine encephalitis, eastern equine encephalitis virus, mosquito-borne diseases, Pathogens, Parasites and Infectious Diseases (Wild Animals) [YY700]

Keywords