Advantages of Using Sentinel Flocks:

1
Advantages of Using Sentinel Flocks

• Not many hours involved after initial setup
• Not too expensive
• Exposure to potentially infected mosquitoes 24/7
• Not too much specialized equipment
• Not too much skill involved
• Some room for error
• Good early warning in VA
• Free eggs

2
Sentinel Flocks vs. Mosquito Pooling
Sentinel Chickens
Mosquito Pools
1. Positive Results from 5 of samples submitted
1. Positive results from 0.6 of samples
submitted
2. Positive results from all 4 sites
2. Positive results from 9 of 107 sites (8)
3. Only 4 sites surveyed - very limited
3. 107 different sites surveyed
4. Not mobile
4. Very mobile
5. Slightly earlier warning for EEE (7/7)
5. Slightly later warning for EEE (7/21)
6. Same date for WNV (7/21)
6. Same date for WNV (7/21)
7. Required 502 manhours
7. Required 2,202 manhours (over 4 Xs greater)
8. Bleeding requires 2 people
8. Collection requires 1 person
9 Bleeding requires special skill
9 Speciation requires special skill
10. No indication of nuisance mosquito problem
(except informal observations or landing rates)
10. Good indication of nuisance mosquito problem
11. Elisa tests are less sensitive, but cheaper
11. RT-PCR tests are more sensitive, but more
expensive
12. Only reflect primary vector activity
12. Reflect primary and bridge vector activity
13. Larger more (but cheaper) equipment
required
13. Equipment is small (but more expensive)
easy to transport
14. Season-long commitment required from resident
14. Short-term commitment required from resident
3
Materials List for Single Site (5 birds) Sentinel
Chicken Maintenance Sampling (2002-03 prices)
Item Unit Price Amount Extended Price

Custom Cages 26.32
6 157.92
Coop materials 40.00
1 40.00
Feeders Water bottles 8.00
5 40.00
Metal trash can, bungees
50.00 1 of each
13.00 2 storage
boxes
Cleansers, lime bleach
23.00 1 23.00
3 Cleaning brushes
12.00 1 of each
12.00
Lab Coats 20.00
2 40.00
Vinyl Latex Gloves
18.00 1 of each
18.00
Hand Cleanser 2.50
4 10.00
Flex-tubes 20.00
1 20.00
Syringes 105.00
1 105.00
Cotton, alcohol, sm cooler 15.00
1 of each 15.00
Leg Bands 15.00 100 30.00
Chicken Feed 9.00 6 54.00
Chickens 9.00
5 54.00
TOTAL 632.00
One-time Expenses 228.00
Single Season Purchases 317.00