Complete genome sequencing of a collection of the Venezuelan equine encephalitis viruses (VEEV).. Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus

Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus (VEEV; Togaviridae: Alphavirus) is the most important emerging alphavirus pathogen of the Americas. This arbovirus is responsible for massive outbreaks involving hundreds-of-thousands of humans, equids and other domestic animals. Additionally, VEEV is currently classified as a select agent on the NIAID category B list of priority pathogens and also is being developed as a vaccine vector. The purpose of this project is to determine the complete genomes of VEEV strains with spatial and temporal representation selected from the World Reference Center for Emerging Viruses and Arboviruses (WRCEVA) collection and other resources. The VEEV genomes generated in this project will vastly increase the number of complete VEEV genomes available in NCBI, allowing for public health and basic science research in the fields of VEEV replication, pathogenesis, virulence, evolution and epidemiology.