SURVEILLANCE OF WEST NILE VIRUS IN MARYLAND: INTEGRATING SMART VECTOR IDENTIFICATION WITH ENVIRONMENTAL AND EPIDEMIOLOGICAL INSIGHTS

This study presents an integrated, operational mosquito surveillance effort conducted in Anne Arundel County, Maryland, during the 2023 and 2024 seasons, revealing substantial variation in Culex pipiens s.l. abundance and West Nile virus (WNV) infection risk. In 2024, mosquito abundance and WNV-positive pools increased more than four- and 5-fold, respectively, compared to 2023. Interestingly, strong correlations between weather and mosquito abundance were absent, with the exception of a negative correlation between temperature and abundance at a 5-wk lag in 2023. The temporal overlap between peak mosquito abundance and peak WNV infection was more synchronized in 2024, potentially heightening human transmission risk. These findings guided Maryland Department of Agriculture mosquito control operations, underscoring the value of high-resolution and timely surveillance. The integration of the IDX identification platform enhanced sample triage, cold chain preservation, and species confirmation, enabling rapid, large-scale data logging and testing. This modernized workflow of field collection, automated identification, and WNV testing offers a scalable model for responsive vector surveillance aligned with climate-driven risks and advanced technologies.