Robin M, Archer D, Garros C, Gardès L, Baylis M
Department of Epidemiology and Population Health, Institute of Infection and Global Health, University of Liverpool, Leahurst, Chester High Road, Neston, Cheshire CH64 7TE.
Vet Rec. 2014 Mar 22;174(12):301. doi: 10.1136/vr.102151. Epub 2014 Feb 6.
There are concerns that outbreaks of exotic or novel vector-borne viral diseases will increasingly occur within northern Europe and the UK in the future. African horse sickness (AHS) is a viral disease of equids that is transmitted by Culicoides and is associated with up to 95 per cent mortality. AHS has never occurred in the UK; however, it has been suggested that appropriate Culicoides species and climatic conditions are present in northern Europe to support an outbreak. No data are currently available regarding the Culicoides species present on UK equine properties. This study demonstrates the presence of potential AHS virus vector Culicoides species on both urban and rural equine properties within the south-east UK. PCR analysis revealed that engorged members of these species contained equine DNA, proving a direct vector-host interaction. It is therefore possible that an AHS outbreak could occur in the UK if the virus were to be imported and, given the severe welfare and economic consequences of AHS, this would have devastating consequences to the naïve UK equine population.
人们担心，外来或新型媒介传播病毒性疾病的暴发在未来将在北欧和英国日益频繁地发生。非洲马瘟（AHS）是一种马科动物的病毒性疾病，由库蠓传播，死亡率高达95%。AHS在英国从未发生过；然而，有人指出，北欧存在适宜的库蠓种类和气候条件，足以引发疫情。目前尚无关于英国马匹养殖场库蠓种类的数据。本研究表明，在英国东南部城乡的马匹养殖场均存在潜在的AHS病毒媒介库蠓种类。PCR分析显示，这些种类的饱血个体含有马的DNA，证明了媒介与宿主之间存在直接相互作用。因此，如果病毒被引入，英国有可能暴发AHS疫情，鉴于AHS会带来严重的福利和经济后果，这将给毫无防备的英国马群带来毁灭性影响。
