Wetlands in Argentina and spread of bird-borne viruses

Wetlands in Argentinaas hubs for exchange and emigration of bird-borne arboviruses

NIH-funded research National Council Scientific & Tech Res · NIH-11161501

This project tracks how wetlands in Argentina help birds and mosquitoes carry viruses like West Nile and St. Louis encephalitis that can infect people.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionNational Council Scientific & Tech Res NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Ciudad Aut?noma de Buenos Aires, ARGENTINA)
Project IDNIH-11161501 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

Researchers will visit wetlands across Argentina to collect samples from birds and mosquitoes and test them for viruses such as West Nile virus and St. Louis encephalitis virus. They will use genetic sequencing and mapping of bird migration to follow how viruses move between resident and migratory birds and through mosquito populations. Combining field sampling with lab analyses and phylogenetics will help show where wetlands concentrate infections and when spillover to people is most likely.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: People living, working, or spending time near Argentine wetlands, as well as public health workers and clinicians concerned about arboviral infections, would be most relevant to this project.

Not a fit: People who live far from mosquito habitats or in regions where these bird-borne arboviruses do not circulate are unlikely to see direct benefit from this project.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this work could help public health identify high-risk wetlands and times for targeted surveillance and mosquito control to reduce human infections.

How similar studies have performed: Previous surveillance and genetic-tracking studies have successfully traced West Nile virus spread and identified high-risk sites, though focusing on Argentine wetlands and St. Louis encephalitis dynamics is relatively novel.

Where this research is happening

Ciudad Aut?noma de Buenos Aires, ARGENTINA

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.