Sample A: Cover Page of Thesis, Project, or Dissertation Proposal

CHAPTER 3: METHODS
The following methods were used to identify potential RVF competent vectors in
Virginia, develop a Virginia mosquito surveillance database, predict mosquito distribution
based on historical mosquito surveillance and environmental data, and construct a Virginia
RVF risk map.
3.1 STUDY AREA
3.1.1 SELECTION METHODOLOGY
Kasari et al. 2008 identified twelve U.S. states (California, Florida, Georgia,
Massachusetts, Maryland, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, South Carolina,
Texas, and Virginia) at greatest risk for experiencing an outbreak of RVF in their domestic
and wild ruminant populations and citizens. Although some states (e.g., California and
Texas) have larger populations of RVF susceptible domestic animals and would likely suffer
greater economic loss with a RVF outbreak, the Commonwealth of Virginia was selected for
this study for the following reasons: proximity to the Nation‟s capital (e.g., potential for
human-focused bioterrorism), existence of viable pathways for natural introduction (e.g.,
presence of ports, citizens, and tourists traveling to and from endemic countries), historically
large and growing human populations (e.g., Northern Virginia), presence of potential wildlife
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