Abstract
Summary
Evidence is presented of the susceptibility of the “gopher” or Richardson ground squirrel, Citellus richardsonii (Sabine), to the virus of equine encephalomyelitis, Western type. Twelve successive passages through “gophers” have been effected by intranasal instillation of virus-brain tissue suspensions derived from the preceding passage. The virus was recovered following the final passage. Its pathogenicity for guinea pigs and its specificity were demonstrated. It is suggested that the “gopher” and other wild rodents may possibly act as reservoir hosts for the virus in nature.
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