Culicoides-Mediated Arboviral Epidemiology and Control
Summary
Culicoides biting midges are small haematophagous insects that serve as principal vectors for a range of economically and medically important arboviruses, including bluetongue virus, Schmallenberg virus and African horse sickness virus. Their rapid life cycle, widespread distribution and capacity for long-distance dispersal enable outbreaks to emerge and escalate under favourable climatic and ecological conditions. Epidemiological studies have highlighted the influence of temperature, humidity and habitat characteristics on midge abundance, vector competence and virus replication dynamics. Control strategies encompass integrated approaches such as vaccination of susceptible livestock, entomological surveillance, targeted insecticidal treatments and environmental management of larval habitats. Advances in modelling of vector–host–virus interactions and improvements in diagnostic assays have refined risk mapping and early-warning systems. However, challenges remain in harmonising international control policies, predicting the impact of climate change on vector distributions and optimising sustainable interventions across diverse agro-ecological settings.
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Culicoides-Mediated Arboviral Epidemiology and Control publication trend
The graph below shows the total number of articles in culicoides-mediated arboviral epidemiology and control across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).
Technical terms
Culicoides: A genus of biting midges that transmit viruses between vertebrate hosts.
Arbovirus: An arthropod-borne virus, transmitted by blood-feeding insects such as mosquitoes and midges.
Vector competence: The intrinsic ability of an arthropod to acquire, maintain and transmit a pathogen.
Viraemia: The presence of virus particles in the bloodstream of an infected host.
Serotype: A group within a virus species distinguished by surface antigens that elicit distinct immune responses.
Entomological surveillance: Systematic monitoring of insect vector populations to assess abundance, distribution and infection status.
References
- Specific T-cell subsets have a role in anti-viral immunity and pathogenesis but not viral dynamics or onwards vector transmission of an important livestock arbovirus. Frontiers in Immunology (2024).
- Habitat type and host grazing regimen influence the soil microbial diversity and communities within potential biting midge larval habitats. Environmental Microbiome (2023).
- Early Release - Emergence of Bluetongue Virus Serotype 3, the Netherlands, September 2023 - Volume 30, Number 8—August 2024 - Emerging Infectious Diseases journal - CDC. Emerging Infectious Diseases (2024).
- Culicoides Biting Midges—Underestimated Vectors for Arboviruses of Public Health and Veterinary Importance. Viruses (2019).
About these summaries
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