Impact of temperature, feeding preference and vaccination on Schmallenberg virus transmission in Scotland

Bessell, Paul R.; Auty, Harriet K.; Searle, Kate R. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4624-9023; Handel, Ian G.; Purse, Bethan V. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5140-2710; Bronsvoort, B. Mark de C.. 2014 Impact of temperature, feeding preference and vaccination on Schmallenberg virus transmission in Scotland. Scientific Reports, 4, 5746. 10, pp. https://doi.org/10.1038/srep05746

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Abstract/Summary

First identified in 2011, Schmallenberg virus (SBV) is principally transmitted by Culicoides midges and affects ruminants. Clinical presentation is typified by foetal abnormalities, but despite very high infection rates, relatively few animals present with clinical signs. In this paper we further develop a previously published stochastic mathematical model of SBV spread to investigate the optimal deployment of a vaccine for SBV in Scotland, a country that has experienced only sporadic and isolated cases of SBV.We consider the use of the vaccine under different temperatures and explore the effects of a vector preference for feeding on cattle. We demonstrate that vaccine impact is optimised by targeting it at the high risk areas in the south of Scotland, or vaccinating only cattle. At higher than average temperatures, and hence increased transmission potential, the relative impact of vaccination is considerably enhanced. Vaccine impact is also enhanced if vectors feed preferentially on cattle. These findings are of considerable importance when planning control strategies for SBV and also have important implications for management of other arboviruses such as Bluetongue virus. Environmental determinants and feeding preferences should be researched further to inform development of effective control strategies.

Item Type:	Publication - Article
Digital Object Identifier (DOI):	https://doi.org/10.1038/srep05746
UKCEH and CEH Sections/Science Areas:	Reynard Watt
ISSN:	2045-2322
Additional Information. Not used in RCUK Gateway to Research.:	Open Access paper - Official URL link provides full text
Additional Keywords:	computational models, ecological epidemiology, entomology
NORA Subject Terms:	Ecology and Environment
Date made live:	01 Aug 2014 13:22 +0 (UTC)
URI:	https://nora.nerc.ac.uk/id/eprint/507803

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