%0 Journal Article
%T Estimating the temporal and spatial risk of bluetongue related to the incursion of infected vectors into Switzerland
%A V Racloz
%A G Venter
%A C Griot
%A KDC St£¿rk
%J BMC Veterinary Research
%D 2008
%I BioMed Central
%R 10.1186/1746-6148-4-42
%X Combined thematic maps of temperature, humidity and altitude were created to visualize the association with Culicoides vector habitat locations. Additional monthly maps of estimated basic reproduction number transmission rates (R0) were created in order to highlight areas of Switzerland prone to higher BT outbreaks in relation to both vector activity and transmission levels. The maps revealed several foci of higher risk areas, especially in northern parts of Switzerland, suitable for both vector presence and vector activity for 2006.Results showed a variation of R0 values comparing 2005 and 2006 yet suggested that Switzerland was at risk of an outbreak of BT, especially if the incursion arrived in a suitable vector activity period. Since the time of conducting these analyses, this suitability has proved to be the case with the recent outbreaks of BT in northern Switzerland.Our results stress the importance of environmental factors and their effect on the dynamics of a vector-borne disease. In this case, results of this model were used as input parameters for creating a national targeted surveillance program tailored to both the spatial and the temporal aspect of the disease and its vectors. In this manner, financial and logistic resources can be used in an optimal way through seasonally and geographically adjusted surveillance efforts. This model can serve as a tool for other vector-borne diseases including human zoonotic vectors which are likely to spread into Europe.Bluetongue disease virus (BT) is a vector-borne, infectious but non-contagious animal pathogen. This emerging disease affects all ruminants and has been responsible for an unprecedented continuing European epidemic which has been occurring for the past decade [1]. Belonging to the Orbivirus genus and Reoviridae family, there are currently 24 recognized serotypes transmitted globally by a multitude of Culicoides midge species, each with their own habitat preferences and geographical distribution albeit
%U http://www.biomedcentral.com/1746-6148/4/42