Oropouche: The Midges and the Muck
Ah, midges! One moment they’re just pesky little bugs buzzing about, and the next they’re the precursors to a viral apocalypse. As reported, research on these minuscule menaces has taken a turn towards the serious with the emergence of a new contender: Oropouche. Seriously, who names these things? It sounds like a low-budget superhero who fights off flies with a can of Raid.
Vaccination: A Farmer’s New Best Friend
Let’s dive into the world of French cattle—where on October 8th, a brave (or perhaps slightly stressed) farmer from Plouégat-Moysan was caught on camera administering vaccines to his herd. It wasn’t a publicity stunt; their lives were literally on the line against the dreaded bluetongue virus serotype 3 (it sounds like a mixtape nobody asked for). In both Brittany and Occitanie, farmers are gearing up for battle. And by battle, I mean more needles than a porcupine bar fight.
Now, when scientists use terms like “two fronts,” it makes you wonder if we’re gearing up for another World War. But let’s not panic just yet! France’s southern regions might be on the brink of a veritable midge invasion, with Clare Garros from CIRAD spotlighting the emergence of not one, but—and this is important—four different viral fronts. It’s like the newest season of a reality show no one asked for.
The Economic Spectacle
These emerging viruses aren’t just some abstract concept—oh no, they’re shaping economies at an unprecedented scale. With the hefty price tag of vaccination resting squarely on breeders’ shoulders—unless it’s the free vaccines for FCO 3, while FCO 8 vaccines come with a “you’re on your own” clause—there’s a hefty toll. Less milk, less meat, and a big fat “no sale” if your cows are feeling under the weather. It’s not just a headache; it’s a full-on migraine, folks.
So, not only are these poor bovines losing weight like they’ve sworn off carbs, but a single infection prompts a bail-out at the World Organization for Animal Health leading to borderline government interventions on your average French cheeseboard. And what’s worse? Humans are pretty much off the hook regarding these diseases—at least for now.
Oropouche: A Human Health Hazard? Oh Dear!
Now let’s cast a glance at the uninvited guest: Oropouche. Initially a flu-like nuisance in South America, it’s now upping its game—heading to colder climes like France, Italy, and even Scandinavia. Like that one friend who joins your group and takes over the conversation about aliens at a dinner party, this virus shows no signs of slowing.
That sounds like a plot twist right from a summer blockbuster, complete with horror-movie music! Who would’ve thought that something so small could have such a big impact on human populations? This realization could have researchers scrambling faster than you can say “negligent midge!”
The Future is… Buggy?
All this leaves us pondering: what does the future hold? The researchers seem keen to explore how climate change might allow these viruses to thrive in new territories. Combine that with the ever-present midge and we could be on the brink of a viral renaissance. It’s like Mother Nature’s version of a sequel nobody wanted.
Ah, the classic dilemma of science—solving intricate puzzles while working on a shoestring budget, like attempting to build a rocket ship with nothing but duct tape and hope. So, here we are, caught between the buzz of midges and a future of uncertain agricultural virology, all while keeping our eyes peeled for the next trending virus of the day.
So, as we keep one eye on the cattle and the other on the skies, let’s hope the midge-carrying concerns stay at bay. Because if it’s not one thing, it’s another, isn’t it? Cheers to the farmers fighting the good fight, and here’s hoping the only buzz we hear is the sound of happy cattle munching on their feed!
Research on midges carrying bluetongue and epizootic haemorrhagic disease viruses is useful in the face of the emergence of a new disease, Oropouche.
These still rare images, which will become more and more frequent: on October 8, a cattle breeder from Plouégat-Moysan (Finistère) vaccinated his herd, threatened by BTF (bluetongue) serotype 3, under the eye cameras.
In Brittany as in Occitanie, the problem is identical: “Since the summer of 2023, France has experienced two fronts of emergence of viruses transmitted by midges of the Culicoide genus to domestic and wild ruminants, bluetongue viruses, and epizootic hemorrhagic disease (EMD)”recall the scientists from CIRAD and INRAE.
And “third front”, with “an exotic strain of FCO” which circulated in northern Europe, opened in August 2024.
Risk area
A fourth and final front is becoming clearer with the emergence of a new serotype (No. 8) of FCO, adds Claire Garros, researcher at CIRAD in Montpellier, specialist in Culicoides.
Emergences for over thirty years
“For thirty years, European countries have been faced with emergence or re-emergence of diseases transmitted by these midges, our South is a risk zone. The economic impact is major, unprecedented today, including if the breeder decides to vaccinate his herd”, insists the scientist.
“The vaccine against FCO 3 is reimbursed but not the intervention of the veterinarian, and everything is the responsibility of the breeder for the vaccine against FCO 8. There is no vaccine against MHE”, specifies Claire Garros.
Sick, “the animals no longer gain weight and produce less milk, one to three liters less per animal per day with FCO 3”she recalls. And the animals are unsaleable: “From the moment an animal is infected, it must be declared to the World Organization for Animal Health, which closes the borders.” Without any impact on human health for FCO and MHE.
The Oropouche threat to human populations
This is not the case for another virus, Oropouche, also transmitted by Culicoides: “Until now, it caused flu-like symptoms in South America. For two or three years, the incidence has been increasing and the symptoms are getting worse. We have deaths, fetal damage which causes abortions and brain damage in fetus. A very big epidemic ends in Cuba.specifies Claire Garros.
Imported cases have also been detected “in France, Italy and the Scandinavian countries”.
Twenty-five years of animal health research is now proving valuable to scientists: “We were focused on breeding, we are facing a public health problem. We can be more responsive to this emergence”indicates Claire Garros.
To what extent could France, in its southernmost territories, such as Occitania, be on the front line? “The risk of transmission is secondary in Europe, we wonder about the risk of importing the virus. Culicoides are found everywhere on the planet. But for the virus to develop in insects, conditions are needed particular, it needs time and heat. We are interested in what climate change could modify, with a softening of autumns and winters, but also drier summers. underlines Claire Garros.
With a difficulty for scientists: “Culicoides are difficult animals to handle, five to ten species are capable of transmitting viruses, and we have relatively little funding.”
