Arboviral epidemiology. Determine what mechanisms allow mosquito-borne arboviruses to persist in California and what conditions trigger their amplification and tangential transmission to domestic animals and humans; current projects emphasize the role of wild birds in virus overwintering or annual introduction, climates variability and arbovirus epidemiology, and improved methods of adult control. During the last 5 years my research has focused on the epidemiology and persistence of mosquito-transmitted encephalitis viruses in California , including endemic western equine encephalomyelitis [WEE] and St. Louis encephalitis [SLE] viruses, and newly introduced West Nile , a virus from Africa emerging as a widespread public and veterinary health problem in North America . Our unique research program now extends from viral genetics studied in the molecular laboratory to the organismic level of host-virus interactions to the population level studying field landscape epidemiology and ecology to practical intervention using adult mosquito control. Our new research focuses on improved methods of directing of ground and aerial adulticides to improve efficacy in rural environments.
Visit Dr. Reisen's website: http://www.vetmed.ucdavis.edu/cvec/