Contact Information:
Susana Mendez, DVM PhD
Assistant Professor
Baker Institute for Animal Health
Cornell Veterinary College
Hungerford Hill Rd.
Ithaca, NY 14853
Office: 607 256-5624
Lab: 607 2565617
Fax: 607 2565608
sm457@cornell.edu
Epidemiological study: presence of sandflies in New York State.
Sandflies (genera
Phlebotomus and
Lutzomyia) act as vectors of leishmaniasis. An outbreak in a New York foxhound kennel and subsequent surveillance revealed widespread
Leishmania infantum infection of dogs in the United States, outside the known range of the vector sand flies. We are conducting surveillance for sandflies in several areas around Ithaca. Future studies will include to expand the survey are to coastal New York and capture insects that are actively looking to feed on animals.
