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Updated: May 11, 2026
Mosquito-Associated Virus Isolation from Field-Collected Mosquitoes
Published on: August 31, 2022
No evidence for the persistence of Schmallenberg virus in overwintering mosquitoes
E J Scholte1, M H Mars, M Braks
1Dutch National Centre for Monitoring of Vectors (CMV), Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA), Wageningen, The Netherlands.
Abstract:
In 2011, Schmallenberg virus (SBV), a novel member of the Simbu serogroup, genus Orthobunyavirus, was identified as the causative agent of a disease in ruminants in Europe. Based on the current knowledge on arthropods involved in the transmission of Simbu group viruses, a role of both midges and mosquitoes in the SBV transmission cycle cannot be excluded beforehand. The persistence of SBV in mosquitoes overwintering at SBV-affected farms in the Netherlands was investigated. No evidence for the presence of SBV in 868 hibernating mosquitoes (Culex, Anopheles, and Culiseta spp., collected from January to March 2012) was found. This suggests that mosquitoes do not play an important role, if any, in the persistence of SBV during the winter months in northwestern Europe.
Insights
Schmallenberg virus (SBV) can affect ruminants. This study investigated if mosquitoes play a role in SBV overwintering, finding no evidence that they contribute to SBV persistence during winter in northwestern Europe.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Virology
- Arthropod-borne Viruses
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Schmallenberg virus (SBV), a Simbu serogroup orthobunyavirus, emerged in Europe in 2011 causing disease in ruminants.
- Arthropod vectors, including midges and mosquitoes, are implicated in Simbu virus transmission, but their specific role in SBV epidemiology remains unclear.
- Understanding SBV transmission dynamics is crucial for disease control in livestock populations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the potential role of hibernating mosquitoes in the overwinter persistence of Schmallenberg virus (SBV).
- To determine if mosquitoes collected during winter months from SBV-affected farms in the Netherlands harbor the virus.
- To assess the significance of mosquitoes in the SBV transmission cycle during the non-active season.
Main Methods:
- Collection of hibernating mosquitoes (Culex, Anopheles, and Culiseta spp.) from January to March 2012 on farms in the Netherlands reporting SBV cases.
- Testing of a total of 868 individual mosquitoes for the presence of SBV using molecular methods.
- Analysis of mosquito species and collection sites to identify potential overwintering reservoirs.
Main Results:
- Schmallenberg virus (SBV) RNA was not detected in any of the 868 hibernating mosquitoes tested.
- No evidence of SBV presence was found in mosquitoes collected during the winter period.
- The findings indicate a lack of viral persistence in mosquitoes during the investigated overwintering period.
Conclusions:
- Mosquitoes are unlikely to play a significant role in the overwinter persistence of Schmallenberg virus (SBV) in northwestern Europe.
- The study suggests that other mechanisms or vectors may be responsible for maintaining SBV during winter months.
- Further research is needed to elucidate the complete SBV transmission cycle and identify potential overwintering reservoirs.
