Gert van der Hoek
In Memoriam - Editor, Senior Moderator
Via ProMED:
After SBV and BTV: "further introductions of vector borne diseases must be expected in this region"
A recent review included the following noteworthy observations:
"SBV emerged in the same regions in 2011 as did BTV-8, BTV-6, and BTV-11 a couple of years ago. It thus seems that there is an unidentified "open door" for exotic vector-transmitted diseases in middle Europe. The affected region has some unique features which may be of influence in this context:
(i) several international airports, such as, Amsterdam, Brussels, Cologne, and harbours such as in Rotterdam;
(ii) a high human population density with the importation of large amounts of fresh goods, fruits, vegetables, and flowers from throughout the world every day;
(iii) a high density of cattle and sheep, which represent a perfect target for exotic infectious diseases of ruminants; and finally
(iv) domestic populations of _Culicoides_ spp., which are competent for BTV, SBV, and probably several other diseases transmitted by biting midges, like epizootic haemorrhagic disease or African horse sickness virus.
"In conclusion, further introductions of vector borne diseases must be expected in this region. Jones and co-workers demonstrated that emerging infectious diseases are significantly correlated with environmental, socioeconomic, and ecological factors and defined so-called hot-spots for the introduction of infectious diseases into a new region.
This type of study can be the basis for identifying regions where new infectious diseases might emerge. Therefore, the combination of high densities of people and animals with high-frequency imports make northwest Europe a possible hot-spot for the introduction of emerging infectious diseases.
This should be taken into account when future surveillance, screening, and sentinel programmes are planned. Fortunately, neither BTV nor SBV are zoonotic pathogens. However, related viruses like Oropouche virus or other vector-transmitted viruses like Rift Valley fever virus might also be introduced and use the advantageous conditions described above, which allow the fast and efficient spread of zoonotic agents."
http://journals.cambridge.org/action/displayAbstract?fromPage=online&aid=8711892
Via e-mail from ProMED moderator: Bovine ephemeral fever (3-day sickness) deserves inclusion in the list as well.
.
After SBV and BTV: "further introductions of vector borne diseases must be expected in this region"
A recent review included the following noteworthy observations:
"SBV emerged in the same regions in 2011 as did BTV-8, BTV-6, and BTV-11 a couple of years ago. It thus seems that there is an unidentified "open door" for exotic vector-transmitted diseases in middle Europe. The affected region has some unique features which may be of influence in this context:
(i) several international airports, such as, Amsterdam, Brussels, Cologne, and harbours such as in Rotterdam;
(ii) a high human population density with the importation of large amounts of fresh goods, fruits, vegetables, and flowers from throughout the world every day;
(iii) a high density of cattle and sheep, which represent a perfect target for exotic infectious diseases of ruminants; and finally
(iv) domestic populations of _Culicoides_ spp., which are competent for BTV, SBV, and probably several other diseases transmitted by biting midges, like epizootic haemorrhagic disease or African horse sickness virus.
"In conclusion, further introductions of vector borne diseases must be expected in this region. Jones and co-workers demonstrated that emerging infectious diseases are significantly correlated with environmental, socioeconomic, and ecological factors and defined so-called hot-spots for the introduction of infectious diseases into a new region.
This type of study can be the basis for identifying regions where new infectious diseases might emerge. Therefore, the combination of high densities of people and animals with high-frequency imports make northwest Europe a possible hot-spot for the introduction of emerging infectious diseases.
This should be taken into account when future surveillance, screening, and sentinel programmes are planned. Fortunately, neither BTV nor SBV are zoonotic pathogens. However, related viruses like Oropouche virus or other vector-transmitted viruses like Rift Valley fever virus might also be introduced and use the advantageous conditions described above, which allow the fast and efficient spread of zoonotic agents."
http://journals.cambridge.org/action/displayAbstract?fromPage=online&aid=8711892
Via e-mail from ProMED moderator: Bovine ephemeral fever (3-day sickness) deserves inclusion in the list as well.
.