Water Resources Research Act Program

Details for Project ID 2003ND22B

Effects of West Nile Virus Infection, Immune Function, and Age on Female Yellow-headed Blackbird (Xanthocephalus xanthocephalus) Reproduction

Institute: North Dakota
Year Established: 2003 Start Date: 2003-03-01 End Date: 2004-02-29
Total Federal Funds: $10,382 Total Non-Federal Funds: $20,735

Principal Investigators: Wendy Reed

Project Summary: The North Dakota Department of Health reported the first cases of WNV in the state in the summer of 2002. The first bird to test positive for WNV was a crow found on July 14th, and the first positive human cases were reported on August 28th. Because stagnant water in wetlands is ideal breeding habitat for mosquitoes, wildlife associated with these habitats may suffer high rates of WNV infection. The recent arrival of WNV into the state necessitates a study of the prevalence and immunological impact of WNV on native North Dakota wetland species. The prairie couteau region of central North Dakota has many small prairie wetlands, which provide essential foraging and breeding habitat for many species of birds. Yellow-headed blackbirds are an ideal species to study WNV infection because they breed in high-density wetland colonies, which insures a large sample size. Establishing rates of WNV infection in yellow-headed blackbirds is necessary to determine the vulnerability of this wetland dwelling species. Information gathered on WNV for this study can also be used to model and predict potential impacts of the virus on other species of wetland birds.