An orbivirus identified as St Croix River virus (SCRV) was isolated from cells of Ixodes scapularisticks. Electron microscopy showed particles with typical orbivirus morphology. The SCRV genome was sequenced completely and compared to previously characterized orbivirus genomes. Significant identity scores (21-38 %) were detected between proteins encoded by segments S1, S2, S4, S5, S6, S8, S9 and S10 of SCRV and those encoded by segments S1, S3, S4, S5, S6, S7, S9 and S10, respectively, of Bluetongue virus (BTV), the prototype orbivirus species. The protein encoded by SCRV genome segment 3 (VP3) is thought to be the equivalent of VP2 of BTV. Segment 7 encodes a protein homologous to non-structural protein NS2(ViP) of BTV. Analysis of VP1(Pol) (segment 1) shows that SCRV is an orbivirus, distantly related to the other sequenced species. Blot hybridizations and sequence comparisons of the conserved protein encoded by genome segment 2 (the T2 subcore shell protein) with previously identified orbiviruses confirm that SCRV is a distinct orbivirus species, unrelated to another tick-borne species, Great Island virus. The presence of SCRV in cells prepared from tick eggs suggests that transovarial transmission of SCRV may occur in ticks.

This report describes the characterization of a new genotype of foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) type A responsible for recent FMD outbreaks in the Middle East. Initially identified in samples collected in 2003 from Iran, during 2005 and 2006 this FMDV lineage (proposed to be named A-Iran-05) spread into Saudi Arabia and Jordan and then further west into Turkey reaching European Thrace in January 2007. Most recently A-Iran-05 has been found in Bahrain. To the east of Iran, it has been recognized in Afghanistan (2004-07) and Pakistan (2006-07). Throughout the region, this lineage is now the predominant genotype of FMDV serotype A sampled, and has appeared to have replaced the A-Iran-96 and A-Iran-99 strains which were previously encountered. In August 2007, a new A-Iran-05 sub-lineage (which we have called A-Iran-05(ARD-07)) was identified in Ardahan, Turkey, close to the border with Georgia. This new sub-lineage appeared to predominate in Turkey in 2008, but has, so far, not been identified in any other country. Vaccine matching tests revealed that the A-Iran-05 viruses are antigenically different to A-Iran-96 and more like A(22). These findings emphasize the importance of undertaking continued surveillance in the Middle East and Central Asia in order to detect and monitor the emergence and spread of new FMDV strains.

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Stirling et al. Sheep Movements and Slaughterhouse Based Surveillance surveillance activities. They can be used to improve future design by exploring the feasibility and cost:benefit of alternative sampling strategies. Further development could also contribute to other surveillance activities, such as situational awareness and resource allocation, for the benefit of stakeholders.

Regular evaluation is a prerequisite for systems that provide surveillance of animal populations. Scotland's Rural College Veterinary vices' Disease Surveillance Centre (DSC) network plays an integral part in surveillance to detect new and re-emerging threats within animal populations, predominantly livestock. In ronse to surveillance reviews and proposed changes to the network, an initial evaluation of diagnostic submissions data in 2010 to mid-2012 established a baseline “footprint”, while highlighting challenges with the data. In this recenaluation for the period 2013–2018, we developed a new denominator using a combination of agricultural census and movement data, to identify relevant holdings more accurately. Iterative discussions between those processing submissions data ahose involved in collection at source took place to understand the intricacies of the data, establish the most appropriate dataset, and develop the processes required to optimise the data extraction and cleansing. The subsequent descriptive analysis identifies the number of diatic submissions, the number of unique holdings making submissions to the network and shows that both the surrounding geographic region of, and maximum dise to the closest DSC vary greatly between centres. Analysis of those submissions classed as farm animal post-mortems also highlights the effect of distance to the closest DSC. Whether specific differences between the time periods are due to changes in the behavior of the submitting holdior the data extraction and cleaning processes was difficult to disentangle. However, with the improved techniques producing better data to work with, a new baseline foot prior the network has been created. This provides information that can help policy makers and surveillance providers make decisions about service provision and evaluate the impact of future changes. Additionally, thtputs of these analyses can provide feedback to those employed in the service, providing evidence of what they are achieving and why changes to data collection processes and ways of working are being made. In a different setting, er data will be available and different challenges may arise. However, the fundamental principles highlighted in these evaluations and the solutions developed should be of interest to any surveillance providers generating similar diagnostic data.

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