Insect transmission of capripoxvirus

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Virology
• Insect-borne Diseases
• Animal Health

Background:

• Capripoxvirus causes significant disease in livestock.
• Understanding transmission routes is crucial for disease control.
• Various arthropods are suspected vectors for capripoxviruses.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the vector competence of specific arthropods for capripoxvirus transmission.
• To determine if Stomoxys calcitrans can transmit capripoxvirus between sheep.
• To evaluate other potential vectors, including lice, sheep head flies, and midges.

Main Methods:

• Experimental transmission trials using sheep and goats.
• Inoculation of capripoxvirus into candidate insect vectors.
• Isolation and identification of capripoxvirus from vectors and animals.

Main Results:

• Capripoxvirus was effectively transmitted between sheep by Stomoxys calcitrans.
• Biting lice, sucking lice, sheep head flies, and midges failed to transmit capripoxvirus.
• Capripoxvirus was successfully isolated from sheep head flies after feeding on infected sheep.

Conclusions:

• Stomoxys calcitrans is a competent biological vector for capripoxvirus in sheep.
• Other tested arthropods, including sheep head flies, are unlikely to be significant vectors for capripoxvirus transmission.
• Further research into the role of Stomoxys calcitrans in capripoxvirus epidemiology is warranted.