Abstract
One of the most important questions in arbovirology concerns the origin of epidemic Venezuelan equine encephalitis (VEE) viruses; these viruses caused periodic, extensive epidemics/epizootics in the Americas from 1938-1973 (reaching the United States in 1971) but had recently been presumed extinct. We have documented the 1992 emergence of a new epidemic/epizootic VEE virus in Venezuela. Phylogenetic analysis of strains isolated during two outbreaks indicated that the new epidemic/epizootic virus(es) evolved recently from an enzootic VEE virus in northern South America. These results suggest continued emergence of epizootic VEE viruses; surveillance of enzootic viruses and routine vaccination of equines should therefore be resumed.
Publication types
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Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
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Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.
MeSH terms
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Animals
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Biological Evolution
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Encephalitis Virus, Venezuelan Equine / classification*
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Encephalitis Virus, Venezuelan Equine / genetics
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Encephalitis Virus, Venezuelan Equine / isolation & purification
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Encephalomyelitis, Venezuelan Equine / epidemiology
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Encephalomyelitis, Venezuelan Equine / veterinary
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Encephalomyelitis, Venezuelan Equine / virology*
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Horse Diseases / epidemiology
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Horse Diseases / virology
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Horses
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Humans
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Molecular Sequence Data
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Phylogeny
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South America
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Species Specificity
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Venezuela / epidemiology
Associated data
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GENBANK/L41231
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GENBANK/L41232
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GENBANK/L41233
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GENBANK/L41234
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GENBANK/L41235
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GENBANK/L41236
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GENBANK/L41237
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GENBANK/L41238
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GENBANK/L41239
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GENBANK/L41240
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GENBANK/L41241
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GENBANK/L41242
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GENBANK/L41243