South Alabama researchers to aid in study of West Nile virus

December 15, 2019 at 7:30 a.m. | Updated December 14, 2019 at 8:09 p.m.

by Associated Press

FILE - This June 12, 2012 file photo shows Mosquitos in early stages of life: wriggling larvae (top), dark-colored, pupae (cocoon), at center and lower right, cluster around vegetation, and a dead mosquito, left, in swimming pool water of a foreclosed home in central Fresno, Calif. California saw a record number of deaths from West Nile virus last year, and health officials say the state’s drought may have contributed to the spike. (AP Photo/The Fresno Bee, John Walker,File)
FILE - This June 12, 2012 file photo shows Mosquitos in early stages of life: wriggling larvae (top), dark-colored, pupae (cocoon), at center and lower right, cluster around vegetation, and a dead mosquito, left, in swimming pool water of a foreclosed home in central Fresno, Calif. California saw a record number of deaths from West Nile virus last year, and health officials say the state’s drought may have contributed to the spike. (AP Photo/The Fresno Bee, John Walker,File)

MOBILE, Ala. (AP) - Researchers from the University of South Alabama are working on a study to learn more about deadly West Nile virus.

Genetic material from infected mosquitoes will be sent to Yale University, according to a statement from South Alabama. Workers at Yale's public health school will sequence DNA to help understand how the virus and spread over the last two decades in the United States.

"They are looking at how the virus has evolved over time by sequencing genomes," said Jonathan Rayner, who works in infectious diseases at the South Alabama medical school.

South Alabama said it is the first school in the state to join in the project.

West Nile virus killed nearly 170 people nationwide last year. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said 2,647 cases of West Nile virus were reported last year, which was 550 more cases than in 2017.

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