Transboundary Emerging and Exotic Animal Disease/ Exotic Animal Disease Practice Exam

What control measure is most likely to limit outbreaks of West Nile virus?

1. Vaccination of horses

2. Mandatory reporting of infections

3. Mosquito control

4. Quarantine measures for livestock

The correct answer is: Mosquito control

The control measure most likely to limit outbreaks of West Nile virus is mosquito control. This is primarily because West Nile virus is transmitted to humans and animals through the bites of infected mosquitoes. By reducing the mosquito population and minimizing the risk of encounters between mosquitoes and susceptible hosts, the likelihood of virus transmission decreases significantly. Mosquito control can include various strategies, such as eliminating stagnant water where mosquitoes breed, using insecticides to reduce mosquito populations, and employing biological control methods like introducing natural predators. Effective mosquito management directly targets the vector responsible for spreading the virus, making it a critical component in preventing outbreaks. While vaccination of horses is a crucial measure to protect these animals from severe disease and is beneficial from a health perspective, it does not directly stop the transmission cycle among mosquitoes and birds, which are the primary hosts for the virus. Mandatory reporting of infections and quarantine measures for livestock play important roles in disease surveillance and management but are not as directly impactful on preventing outbreaks compared to vector control.