2023-05-11 15:42:24
First discovered in the United States in 1955, epizootic hemorrhagic disease virus primarily affects white-tailed deer and domestic cattle. The virus has since spread to Asia, Australia and Africa, but until last year no cases had been detected in Europe. In cattle, this life-threatening disease results in fever, anorexia, lameness and respiratory distress. Small ruminants can also carry the virus but no symptomatic case has yet been detected. The virus is not transmitted to humans.
A consequence of climate change
The virus is transmitted by biting midges of the genus Culicoides. « Fifteen years ago it was unimaginable that the disease might one day arrive in Europe, says Stéphan Zientara, director of the joint Virology research unit, which brings together scientists from ANSES, Inrae and the National Veterinary School of Alfort. Its extension is a direct consequence of climate change, which allows vector midges to survive in our regions. »
The first cases in Europe were detected on October 25, 2022 in Sardinia. A few days later, cases were reported in Sicily, then two outbreaks broke out in Andalusia in mid-November. ” Although it is possible that the virus was introduced by transporting infected cattle, the most probable hypothesis is that midges were carried across the Mediterranean by the wind, continues the scientist. This would explain the simultaneous appearance of the disease in several places in southern Europe. The virus is identical to the one detected in Tunisia in 2021.
A strain that had not been detected since 1982 in Australia
World Organization for Animal Health (OMSA) Reference Laboratory for Epizootic Haemorrhagic Disease, ANSES helped identify the serotype circulating in Tunisia. There are indeed seven different serotypes of the virus. The one that circulated in Tunisia and then arrived in Europe belongs to serotype 8. This serotype had not been detected since its appearance in 1982 in Australia.
No vaccine once morest this serotype is available. Those used in Japan or the United States have been developed once morest other serotypes and will not be effective once morest this one. Manufacturers are thinking regarding developing a suitable vaccine once morest this serotype. In the meantime, the only measure to curb the spread of the virus is to testing animals and prohibiting the transport of ruminants from infected areasbut its effectiveness remains low.
Other threat: it is not known whether European deer are susceptible to the disease. An infected deer has been detected in Sardinia but it is still too early to know if it is an isolated case. In order to detect the arrival of the virus on the territory, surveillance has been set up in Francewith the aim of analyzing any suspicious animal, particularly in wildlife.
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