Title: Coordinated capacity building for UK response to emerging arthropodborne viruses
Funder: Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

Abstract: Description The United Kingdom (UK) is at risk from incursion from a variety of viral pathogens transmitted by arthropod vectors. Some of these arboviruses, such as bluetongue virus (BTV) are spread by biting midges, have a proven track record of incursion and economic impact in the UK. Others, such as Rift Valley fever virus (RVFV) are spread by mosquitoes and have not entered the UK, but could have significant economic consequences for agriculture and trade if they did so. Early detection and implementation of control methods are critical in eliminating such a disease outbreak as part of Defra strategy for dealing with exotic and notifiable diseases (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/great-britain-and-northern-ireland-continency-plan-for-exotic-notifiable-diseases-of-animals). In order to meet the threat of emerging arboviruses through provision of diagnostic assays and datasets to support policy decision making, Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) and The Pirbright Insititute (TPI) are coordinating research activities in this subject area. This project aims to integrate the work of both Institutes to improve prediction, detection and control of arbovirus incursions in the UK. We have selected three key areas in which a lack of scientific evidence would currently limit decision making or which provide key capacity retention in skills relevent to this area. Firstly, we will improve front line diagnostic assays for RVFV and conduct field studies of potential UK vector mosquitoes that will inform risk assessments of incursion and spread. RVFV is an economically important zoonotic arbovirus that has been identified as a potential threat to the UK and robust detection methods are required in the event of incursion into Europe. Secondly, we will carry out field studies of Culicoides biting midges to define behaviour during the summer and winter periods and to accurately quantify the number of generations completed by species during the summer for the first time. These parameters are key components in models defining the extent and speed of spread and are broadly applicable to all Culicoides-borne viruses (e.g. BTV; African horse sickness virus; Epizootic Haemorhagic disease virus). Thirdly, in order to model arbovirus transmission we will use a specifically chosen virus (bovine ephemeral fever virus: BEFV) to carry out a joint exercise in determining vectors through artificial feeding experiments and an animal experiment. We have chosen BEFV because its primary vectors remain uncertain (having been narrowed to either biting midges or mosquitoes), it is known to be present on the fringes of Europe and no current vaccine is available. The primary aim of the objective is for APHA and TPI to combine expertise and resources to define the process of arbovirus transmission under UK conditions and in doing so to enhance the skill sets available to both parties and hence UK capability. Objective Objective 1: Developing a diagnostic capability for Rift Valley fever Virus in UK livestockObjective 2: Investigating the overwintering and seasonality of Culicoides biting midgesObjective 3: Joint study of Bovine ephemeral fever virus transmission and mosquito ecology


Research activity codes: 2.2 FACTORS RELATING TO PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT
Health categories: INFECTION