Everglades virus (EVEV) is an alphavirus included in the Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus complex. The virus circulates among rodents and vector mosquitoes and sometimes infects humans, causing a febrile illness with occasional neurological manifestations.[2][3] Although it is said to be rare in humans it is still debated if this is the case because of the possibility of underdiagnosing as well as being a unrecognized cause of other illnesses.[4] The virus is named after the Everglades, a region of subtropicalwetlands in southern Florida. The virus is endemic to the U.S. state of Florida, where its geographic range mirrors that of the mosquito species Culex cedecei.[2]Hispid cotton rat and cotton mouse are considered important reservoir hosts of Everglades virus. Most clinical cases of infection occur in and around the city of Miami.[3] The abundance in clinical cases in certain parts of Florida comes from many factors such as population density and proximity to the hosts and their ecosystem.[5]
^Calisher, C. H.; Murphy, F. A.; France, J. K.; Lazuick, J. S.; Muth, D. J.; Steck, F.; Lindsey, H. S.; Bauer, S. P.; Buff, E. E.; Schneider, N. J. (1980). "Everglades virus infection in man, 1975". Southern Medical Journal. 73 (11): 1548. doi:10.1097/00007611-198011000-00044. PMID7444536.
^Weaver, S. C.; Scherer, W. F.; Taylor, C. A.; Castello, D. A.; Cupp, E. W. (1986). "Laboratory vector competence of Culex (Melanoconion) cedecei for sympatric and allopatric Venezuelan equine encephalomyelitis viruses". The American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene. 35 (3): 619–623. doi:10.4269/ajtmh.1986.35.619. PMID3706626.
