Survival of western equine encephalitis virus in Triatominae.

The survival of western equine encephalitis virus was studied in 2 species of Triatominae, Rhodnius prolixus and Triatoma infestans . In normal bugs the virus survived for only 14 to 20 days. However, when the bugs were experimentally punctured to simulate cannibalistic feeding of unengorged bugs on blood-fed ones, the virus survived at high titers for at least 98 days. Virus was found in excrement of punctured bugs on 1 occasion, and transmission by bite of punctured R. prolixus was obtained in 1 test.