Venezuelan Equine Encephalitis Virus in Veracruz, Mexico, and the Use of Hamsters as Sentinels

Abstract

Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus was recovered in the state of Veracruz, Mexico, during July and August 1963 from young, weaned hamters, and from baby mice used as sentinel animals, and from Culex mosquitoes. Hamsters of 5 to 10 weeks of age became infected in nature and were nearly as susceptible as suckling mice to subcutaneous inoculation of VEE virus.