Climate change: effects on culicoides--transmitted viruses and implications for the UK.
Authors: Wittmann E J, Baylis M
Journal: Veterinary journal (London, England : 1997)
Summary
# Editorial Summary: Climate Change and Culicoides-Transmitted Viruses in the UK Climate warming poses a significant threat to UK livestock through its effects on *Culicoides* biting midges, vectors of economically devastating arboviruses including bluetongue and African horse sickness. Wittmann and Baylis (2000) synthesised evidence on how shifting temperature patterns would alter the distribution and competence of these midge species, with particular focus on the northward range expansion of *Culicoides imicola*, the principal Old World vector. Whilst *C. imicola* itself is unlikely to establish in the UK within the foreseeable future, the authors identified a critical "baton effect" whereby this species may transmit viruses into the range of competent *Culicoides* species already present across northern Europe, which could then sustain and spread these diseases across the continent and into British territory. Rising temperatures will simultaneously enhance vector competence in existing midge populations and increase viral survival rates between seasons, whilst periodic temperature spikes may eliminate the refractory (resistant) barriers that currently prevent certain midge species from transmitting infection. For UK equine and livestock practitioners, this analysis suggests that bluetongue and African horse sickness should transition from theoretical to tangible biosecurity concerns within coming decades, warranting enhanced surveillance protocols and contingency planning despite the current absence of these diseases from British shores.
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Practical Takeaways
- •Monitor for emerging Culicoides-transmitted diseases in UK livestock as climate patterns shift, even if C. imicola itself does not establish
- •Heightened biosecurity and disease surveillance protocols for bluetongue and African horse sickness may become necessary as indigenous vector competence increases
- •Consider climate-driven disease risk in long-term herd health planning and veterinary advisory recommendations
Key Findings
- •C. imicola is unlikely to establish in the UK in the foreseeable future despite northward range expansion due to climate change
- •Climate change may enable other competent Culicoides vector species occurring further north to acquire and transmit BT and AHS viruses via the 'baton effect'
- •Increased frequency of short hot temperature periods could remove viral refractoriness barriers and create novel vector species
- •Climate change will increase vector competence and likelihood of inter-annual virus survival in northern Europe including the UK