Isolations of African horse sickness virus from vector insects made during the 1988 epizootic in Spain.
Abstract: This paper describes the first isolations of African horse sickness virus (AHSV) from insects in Spain. Seven isolations of AHSV serotype 4 were made; four from Culicoides imicola a known vector of the virus elsewhere, two from mixed pools of Culicoides species not including C. imicola and one from blood engorged mosquitoes. Three further isolations of AHSV serotype 4 were also made from horses kept adjacent to the insect collecting sites. This work presents the first definitive identification of the vectors of AHSV in Spain during the 1987, 88 and 89 epizootics. Suggestions are also made concerning the significance of these findings with regard to the epidemiology of African horse sickness in Spain.
Publication Date: 1990-10-01 PubMed ID: 2209746PubMed Central: PMC2271884DOI: 10.1017/s0950268800048020Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
Summary
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This study reveals the isolation of African horse sickness virus (AHSV) from vector insects during the 1988 outbreak in Spain, highlighting its first confirmed identification within local vectors and providing insights around the epidemiology of the disease in Spain.
Objective of the Research
- The research was focused on identifying and isolating the African horse sickness virus (AHSV) from insect vectors in Spain during the 1987, 1988, and 1989 epidemics.
- It aimed to determine the primary carriers of AHSV in these instances, thereby providing insight into the spread of the virus and its impact on the local horse population.
Methodology and Findings
- The researchers managed to isolate seven instances of AHSV serotype 4 (one type of AHSV) from insects. These isolations comprised four from Culicoides imicola (a known carrier of the virus), two from combined groups of different Culicoides species (excluding C. imicola), and one from blood-fed mosquitoes.
- In addition to these, the team also made three further isolations of AHSV serotype 4 from horses situated near the sites of insect collection. This highlights the possibility of these specific insects acting as agents of transmission of the virus to horses.
Significance of the Research Findings
- This work is significant because it gives the first definite identification of the carriers of AHSV in Spain during the noted epizootics. It inherently demonstrates the role of local insect species in the spread of AHSV, especially during an outbreak.
- The findings are crucial to understanding the epidemiology of African horse sickness in Spain. Identifying the vector insects helps in observing and predicting the disease spread pattern, devising control measures, and ultimately, preventing future outbreaks.
Implications and Recommendations
- The observations suggest that the impact of certain insect species on AHSV transmission in Spain may have been underestimated.
- These findings should prompt further research on virus-vector relations, specifically focusing on the key species identified in this study.
- Public health strategies can be centered around controlling the identified insect vectors to help manage or prevent further AHSV outbreaks.
Cite This Article
APA
Mellor PS, Boned J, Hamblin C, Graham S.
(1990).
Isolations of African horse sickness virus from vector insects made during the 1988 epizootic in Spain.
Epidemiol Infect, 105(2), 447-454.
https://doi.org/10.1017/s0950268800048020 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Institute for Animal Health, Pirbright Laboratory, Woking, Surrey.
MeSH Terms
- African Horse Sickness / epidemiology
- African Horse Sickness / transmission
- African Horse Sickness Virus / isolation & purification
- Animals
- Ceratopogonidae / microbiology
- Disease Outbreaks / veterinary
- Female
- Horses
- Insect Vectors / microbiology
- Spain / epidemiology
References
This article includes 15 references
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