Ch. Calisher et al., Transmission of an arenavirus in white-throated woodrats (Neotoma albigula), southeastern Colorado, 1995-1999, EM INFECT D, 7(3), 2001, pp. 397-402
From 1995 to 1999, we conducted longitudinal studies of white-throated wood
rats (Neotoma albigula) in southeastern Colorado. Forty-five (42.9%) of 105
female and 15 (26.8%) of 56 male N. albigula had antibodies against Whitew
ater Arroyo virus (WWAV). Sixteen female and three male N. albigula serocon
verted during the study period, most of them during July-November. when pop
ulation densities are highest. Analyses of longevity data, minimum numbers
alive and infected, movements, and weight data suggest that the dominant mo
de of WWAV transmission among white-throated woodrats in Colorado is direct
contact. WWAV was recently reported to cause fatal infection in humans. Ou
r findings will lead to better assessment of the public health threat posed
by infected woodrats and may be useful in predicting periods of increased
risk for human infection.