Project Number: 5410-32000-016-03
Project Type: Nonfunded Cooperative Agreement

Start Date: Jun 21, 2004
End Date: Mar 14, 2009

Objective:
Arthropod-borne diseases are important pathogens of livestock and significantly affect the U.S. livestock industry. Many of these diseases also affect wildlife and can act as reservoirs of these diseases. Research will be conducted to develop better animal disease control methods through managing wildlife and livestock. Control methods may include vaccine/drug development and vaccine/drug delivery systems. In addition, the interactions of the insect vectors with wildlife/livestock and diseases will be better characterized to assist with developing vector and disease management tools.

Approach:
Mechanisms of pathogen neutralization in vertebrate and invertebrate cells will be determined. EHDV replication in target cells derived from cattle and deer will be studied. Whether or not insects harbor prion diseases that infect livestock and wildlife will be determined by trapping insects and analyzing them via ELISA and PCR. The effects of environmental factors on disease spread will be studied. West Nile virus impact on the western sage grouse and other sensitive species will be determined.