Vector-borne diseases

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Epidemiology
• Public Health
• Risk Assessment

Background:

• Vector-borne diseases (VBDs) pose a significant threat to animal and public health.
• The European Union (EU) requires ongoing assessment of VBD introduction risks.
• EFSA's Panel on Animal Health and Welfare previously summarized characteristics of 36 VBDs.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the risk of introduction of 36 VBDs into the EU.
• To evaluate the potential spread, overwintering, and impact of high-risk VBDs.
• To provide a screening-level risk assessment for VBDs in the EU.

Main Methods:

• Utilized a semi-quantitative Method to INTegrate all relevant RISK aspects (MINTRISK) model, adapted for a European scale.
• Assessed introduction risk for 36 VBDs based on entry, vector transmission, and establishment rates.
• For the eight highest-risk VBDs, assessed annual spread, overwintering probability, and potential impacts.

Main Results:

• Only eight of the 36 VBDs assessed had an introduction rate exceeding 0.001 per year.
• These eight VBDs include Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever virus, bluetongue virus, West Nile virus, and others.
• The study provides a foundation for further, more detailed national or subnational risk assessments.

Conclusions:

• A limited number of VBDs represent the primary introduction risk to the EU.
• Further assessment of spread and impact is crucial for these high-risk VBDs.
• The EFSA-VBD-RISK-model is available for detailed, localized risk assessments.