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Home / Equine Research Bank / Pathogens / Targeting the Risk of Diptera-Borne Zoonoses by a Sentinel E...
Pathogens (Basel, Switzerland)2025; 14(7); 661; doi: 10.3390/pathogens14070661

Targeting the Risk of Diptera-Borne Zoonoses by a Sentinel Equestrian Centers Program.

Abstract: Diptera-borne diseases pose a major threat to global health, and their distribution is constantly changing due to climate change, globalization, and environmental changes. To improve the knowledge of dipteran species and their distribution in equine facilities, CDC-UV and oviposition traps were placed, and the dipping technique was performed in 16 equestrian centers of Northwest (NW) Spain (Galicia and Castilla y León Autonomous Communities) between July and November 2023. A questionnaire was distributed among the horse owners to obtain additional information. Four genera of culicids, (51.8%), (38.6%), (8.4%), and / (1.2%) were identified in the equestrian centers. s.l. was the most prevalent and well-distributed species (93.8% of the centers), whereas s.l. and /, the anopheline species, were the most frequent (37.5% and 31.2%, respectively). The genus was found in approximately 81.2% of the equine facilities. All genera were collected at medium and high altitudes and in Csb (warm-summer Mediterranean climate) areas. Equestrian centers from NW Spain albeit a variety of culicids with high vectorial capacity, together with an ideal environment for their breeding, the presence of vectors and hosts (humans and animals). This potential problem for global health enhances the need for entomological surveillance.
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Publication Date: 2025-07-04 PubMed ID: 40732708PubMed Central: PMC12298265DOI: 10.3390/pathogens14070661Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

The research investigates how Diptera-borne diseases, transmitted by fly species, are distributed in equestrian facilities using different trapping techniques and surveys in Northwest Spain. The findings underline the need for increased entomological surveillance.

Study Methodology and Context

  • The research was conducted in sixteen equestrian centers in the Galicia and Castilla y León Autonomous Communities in Northwest Spain during the period from July through November 2023.
  • Various trapping techniques were utilized including CDC-UV and oviposition traps, and the dipping technique. A questionnaire was also distributed amongst horse owners to acquire additional data.
  • The study is positioned in the context of increasing threats to global health posed by Diptera-borne diseases. These diseases, spread by specific species of flies, are experiencing shifting patterns of distribution due to climate change, globalization, and environmental alterations.

Results and Key Findings

  • Four genera of fly species (culicids) were identified in the equestrian facilities. These were in proportions: 51.8%, 38.6%, 8.4%, and 1.2%.
  • The most prevalent and well-distributed species was found in approximately 93.8% of the centers, while another species and the anopheline species were the most frequent at 37.5% and 31.2% respectively.
  • Approximately 81.2% of the equine facilities house another genus of culicids.
  • All identified genera were collected at medium and high altitudes and in areas featuring a Csb (warm-summer Mediterranean climate).
  • The equestrian centers surveyed provide an ideal environment for the breeding of these fly species, hosting a variety of culicids that possess high vectorial capacity. This, along with the presence of vectors and hosts (including humans and animals), constitutes a potential problem for global health.

Implications and Conclusions

  • The findings underline the need for increased entomological surveillance.
  • Understanding the distribution and prevalence of fly species at these centers is key to predicting and preventing the spread of Diptera-borne diseases.
  • Gauging the capacity of these species for disease transmission (their ‘vectorial’ capacity), and understanding the environmental conditions that favor their proliferation, can inform public health strategies.

Cite This Article

APA
(2025). Targeting the Risk of Diptera-Borne Zoonoses by a Sentinel Equestrian Centers Program. Pathogens, 14(7), 661. https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens14070661

Publication

Pathogens (Basel, Switzerland)
ISSN: 2076-0817
NlmUniqueID: 101596317
Country: Switzerland
Language: English
Volume: 14
Issue: 7
PII: 661

Researcher Affiliations

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Humans
  • Culicidae
  • Horses
  • Mosquito Control / statistics & numerical data
  • Mosquito Vectors
  • Sentinel Species
  • Spain
  • Zoonoses / transmission

Grant Funding

  • Project FEADER ED431B 2021/07 / AGACAL (Conselleru00eda de Cultura, Educaciu00f3n e Universidades, Xunta de Galicia, Spain)
  • Research Contract 2023-CP109 / Deputaciu00f3n Provincial de Lugo

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors declare no conflicts of interest. The funders had no role in the design of the study; in the collection, analyses, or interpretation of data; in the writing of the manuscript; or in the decision to publish the results.

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