The spread of bluetongue virus serotype 8 in Great Britain and its control by vaccination.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Bluetongue (BT) is a viral disease of ruminants transmitted by Culicoides biting midges and has the ability to spread rapidly over large distances. In the summer of 2006, BTV serotype 8 (BTV-8) emerged for the first time in northern Europe, resulting in over 2000 infected farms by the end of the year. The virus subsequently overwintered and has since spread across much of Europe, causing tens of thousands of livestock deaths. In August 2007, BTV-8 reached Great Britain (GB), threatening the large and valuable livestock industry. A voluntary vaccination scheme was launched in GB in May 2008 and, in contrast with elsewhere in Europe, there were no reported cases in GB during 2008.

Methodology/principal findings

Here, we use carefully parameterised mathematical model

SUBMITTER: Szmaragd C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2825270 | biostudies-literature | 2010 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature