Culicoides species responsible for the transmission of Epizootic Haemorrhagic Disease virus (EHDV) serotype 8 in Italy.

• DOI: 10.12834/vetit.3347.22208.1
• Publication Date: 2023-09-20
• Authors: Michela Quaglia; Cipriano Foxi; Giuseppe Satta; Giantonella Puggioni; Robero Bechere; Matteo De Ascentis; Silvio Gerardo d’...; Massimo Spedicato; Alessandra Leone; Maura Pisciella; Ottavio Portanti; Liana Teodori; Luigina Di Gialle...; Cesare Cammà; Giovanni Savini; Maria Goffredo
• Keywords: Orbivirus; Epizootic; Ceratopogonidae; Culicoides

Epizootic haemorrhagic disease (EHD) is a viral transmitted by Culicoides biting midges that affects wild and domestic ruminants. The causative agent, EHD virus (EHDV), belongs to the family Sedoreoviridae, genus Orbivirus. has never been reported in Europe until October 2022, when was for first time detected Sicily Sardinia. After clinical cases, an intensive entomological field activity carried out five affected farms located Sardinia, with aim of assessing EHDV vector competence European species Culicoides. EHDV‑8 C. imicola, obsoletus/scoticus, newsteadi, pulicaris ss, bysta. 4 have also demonstrated be able transmit bluetongue (BTV). According these results, it likely EHDV‑8, sharing same transmission patterns BTV, can spread Europe.