Identification of hotspots in the European union for the introduction of four zoonotic arboviroses by live animal trade.
- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
- Animal Species
- Arboviruses
- Diagnosis
- Disease control
- Disease Diagnosis
- Disease Etiology
- Disease Management
- Disease Outbreaks
- Disease Surveillance
- Disease Transmission
- Disease Treatment
- Eastern Equine Encephalitis
- Encephalomyelitis
- Epidemiology
- Public Health
- Venezuelan Equine Encephalitis
- Veterinary Science
- Western Equine Encephalitis
- Zoonotic Diseases
Summary
The research article focuses on the risk imposed by the live animal trade in the introduction of four types of arboviruses (viruses transmitted by arthropods) into the European Union. These viruses, specifically Eastern and Western equine encephalomyelitis, Venezuelan equine encephalitis and Japanese encephalitis, can affect both humans and horses. The study assessed the potential hotspots in the EU over a five-year period using importation, environmental, and population density data.
Objective and Methodology
- The research aimed to explore the risk posed by live animal imports for the introduction of four arboviruses into the European Union (EU). This risk assessment was important considering societal and behavioural changes that are leading to the classification of wild animal species as pet species, which could benefit pathogens with a broad host range like arboviruses.
- The study utilized importation data for a five-year period, extracted from the TRACES database of the EU, as well as environmental data and human population density data. The environmental data served as a proxy for the presence of vectors (organisms that transmit diseases), while the human and horse population density data had an impact on the occurrence of clinical cases.
- All these data were combined to derive spatially explicit risk indicators for virus introduction and for potential consequences of such introductions.
Findings
- The results of the study revealed the existence of hotspots where the risk of introduction was the highest, particularly in Belgium, the Netherlands and northern Italy. The risk was particularly higher for Eastern equine encephalomyelitis than the other diseases under consideration.
- Exotic pet species like rodents, reptiles, or cage birds provided the main risk. They were imported in small-sized containments from a variety of geographical origins. The trend of increasing species and origin diversity among these animals could potentially have a significant impact on the risk of arbovirus introduction into EU in the future.
In conclusion, the study shows the critical role of exotic pet species in the potential introduction of arboviruses in the EU. These findings cast light on potential future risks and contribute to understanding the danger of specific animal imports. They could inform biosecurity measures and policies for live animal trade in the EU.
Cite This Article
Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Anses, Laboratoire de Santé Animale, Maisons-Alfort, France. benoit.durand@anses.fr
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Animals, Wild / virology
- Commerce
- Encephalitis Viruses / isolation & purification
- Encephalitis, Arbovirus / epidemiology
- Encephalitis, Arbovirus / veterinary
- Encephalitis, Arbovirus / virology
- Europe / epidemiology
- European Union
- Horse Diseases / epidemiology
- Horse Diseases / virology
- Horses
- Humans
- Introduced Species
- Pets / virology
- Risk Factors
- Zoonoses / epidemiology
- Zoonoses / virology
Conflict of Interest Statement
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