SEROLOGIC EVIDENCE OF INFECTION OF WHITE-TAILED DEER IN TEXAS WITH THREE CALIFORNIA GROUP ARBOVIRUSES, (JAMESTOWN CANYON, SAN ANGELO, AND KEYSTONE)

¹ Department of Veterinary Science, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin 53706, U.S.A.

Sera collected from 187 white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) from southern Texas in 1963, 1970, 1971, and 1972 were tested for the ability to neutralize several California group arboviruses. Jamestown Canyon virus was specifically neutralized by 99 of the 187 sera (53%). San Angelo and Keystone viruses were specifically neutralized by four and one sera respectively. Serologic evidence of infection of deer with California encephalitis or LaCrosse virus was not detected. Results of limited inoculation studies indicate that white-tailed deer are probably incidental, dead-end hosts for San Angelo and Keystone viruses. White-tailed deer are sensitive indicators of Jamestown Canyon virus and may be an important vertebrate host for this virus.