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IAH at the BA Festival: bluetongue virus moves into Europe
September 05, 2003After this summerˇ¦s record temperatures, UK sheep could soon be at risk from a deadly virus that is spreading north throughout Europe. The effect of climate change on the distribution of infectious disease will be discussed today (Tuesday 09 September 2003) at the BA festival of Science.
Bluetongue is on the OIEˇ¦s "A" list of infectious diseases. Until recently most of Europe was protected from bluetongue by a natural boundary ˇV the climate. But the disease has killed over half a million sheep in southern Europe since 1998.
Dr Philip Mellor of the Institute for Animal Health says, ˇ§We have studied the spread of the insect carrier of bluetongue virus (BTV) from North Africa ˇV a small biting midge called Culicoides imicola. By analysing temperature, humidity and vegetation data collected by satellite imaging we have produced risk maps showing the parts of Europe where C. imicola can survive. These regions match closely with recent outbreaks in the Mediterranean. The spread of BTV in Europe may, in part, reflect a gradual expansion of this risk area, caused by climate change.ˇ®
However, there is a puzzle. BTV has now been found in areas of Europe where C. imicola cannot survive. ˇ§Our latest studies have shown that two other Culicoides species are also able to spread the virus from infected animals. Culicoides obsoletus and C. pulcaris are common in more northerly parts of Europe, including the UK,ˇ® Dr Mellor explains.
Dr Mellor warns, ˇ§The emergence of BTV in two Culicoides species with a wider distribution could put much of Europe at risk.ˇ®
Institute for Animal Health
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