title: Enhanced West Nile virus surveillance in the North Kent marshes, UK.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  As part of efforts to more fully understand the potential risks posed by West Nile virus (WNV) and Usutu virus (USUV) in the UK, and following on from previous reports of a potential bridge vector Culex modestus for these viruses, at wetland sites in North Kent, mosquito surveillance was undertaken more widely across the Isle of Sheppey, the Hoo Peninsula and the Kent mainland.
  
  
  METHODS
  Larval surveys were conducted and Mosquito Magnet® adult traps were used to collect adult mosquitoes. Pools of female mosquitoes were tested for the presence of WNV using real-time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction. A subset of samples was tested for USUV.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Culex modestus was found in both the pre-imaginal and imago stage at all five locations surveyed, accounting for 90% of adult mosquitoes collected. WNV or USUV were not detected in any sample.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Although no mosquitoes have been shown to be virus positive, the field survey data from this study demonstrated the dominance of an important bridge vector species for WNV in this region. Its wide geographical distribution highlights the need to update risk assessments on WNV introduction, and to maintain vigilance for WNV in the South East of England.
authors.affiliation: Medical Entomology group, MRA, Emergency Response Department, Public Health England, Porton Down, Salisbury, SP4 0JG, UK. Alex.Vaux@phe.gov.uk.
authors.forename: Alexander G C
authors.initials: AG
authors.lastname: Vaux
authors.affiliation: Natural Resources Institute, University of Greenwich at Medway Central Avenue, Chatham Maritime, Kent, ME4 4TB, UK. G.Gibson@gre.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Gabriella
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Gibson
authors.affiliation: Animal and Plant Health Agency, Wildlife Zoonoses and Vector-Borne Diseases Research Group, Woodham Lane, Addlestone, Surrey, KT15 3NB, UK. Luis.Hernandez-Triana@apha.gsi.gov.uk.
authors.forename: Luis M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Hernandez-Triana
authors.affiliation: Natural Resources Institute, University of Greenwich at Medway Central Avenue, Chatham Maritime, Kent, ME4 4TB, UK. R.A.Cheke@greenwich.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Robert A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Cheke
authors.affiliation: Animal and Plant Health Agency, Wildlife Zoonoses and Vector-Borne Diseases Research Group, Woodham Lane, Addlestone, Surrey, KT15 3NB, UK. Fiona.McCracken@apha.gsi.gov.uk.
authors.forename: Fiona
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: McCracken
authors.affiliation: Animal and Plant Health Agency, Wildlife Zoonoses and Vector-Borne Diseases Research Group, Woodham Lane, Addlestone, Surrey, KT15 3NB, UK. Claire.Jeffries@lshtm.ac.uk.|Current address: Department of Disease Control, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London, WC1E 7HT, UK. Claire.Jeffries@lshtm.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Claire L
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Jeffries
authors.affiliation: Animal and Plant Health Agency, Wildlife Zoonoses and Vector-Borne Diseases Research Group, Woodham Lane, Addlestone, Surrey, KT15 3NB, UK. D.Horton@surrey.ac.uk.|School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Surrey, Guildford, UK. D.Horton@surrey.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Daniel L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Horton
authors.affiliation: Natural Resources Institute, University of Greenwich at Medway Central Avenue, Chatham Maritime, Kent, ME4 4TB, UK. S.Springate@gre.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Simon
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Springate
authors.affiliation: Animal and Plant Health Agency, Wildlife Zoonoses and Vector-Borne Diseases Research Group, Woodham Lane, Addlestone, Surrey, KT15 3NB, UK. Nick.Johnson@apha.gsi.gov.uk.
authors.forename: Nicholas
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Johnson
authors.affiliation: Animal and Plant Health Agency, Wildlife Zoonoses and Vector-Borne Diseases Research Group, Woodham Lane, Addlestone, Surrey, KT15 3NB, UK. Tony.Fooks@apha.gsi.gov.uk.|Institute of Infection and Global Health, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, L69 7BE, UK. Tony.Fooks@apha.gsi.gov.uk.
authors.forename: Anthony R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Fooks
authors.affiliation: Microbial Risk Assessment and Behavioural Science, Emergency Response Department, Public Health England, Porton Down, Salisbury, SP4 0JG, UK. Steve.Leach@phe.gov.uk.
authors.forename: Steve
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Leach
authors.affiliation: Medical Entomology group, MRA, Emergency Response Department, Public Health England, Porton Down, Salisbury, SP4 0JG, UK. Jolyon.Medlock@phe.gov.uk.|NIHR Health Protections Research Unit in Emerging and Zoonotic Infections, Porton Down, UK. Jolyon.Medlock@phe.gov.uk.
authors.forename: Jolyon M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Medlock
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D003465:Culex / Q000821:virology*; D062665:Epidemiological Monitoring; D005260:Female; D005416:Flavivirus / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D018177:Flavivirus Infections / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000821:virology; D007303:Insect Vectors / Q000821:virology*; D007814:Larva; D006113:United Kingdom / Q000453:epidemiology; D014901:West Nile Fever / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000821:virology; D014902:West Nile virus / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D053833:Wetlands