Possible ecology and epidemiology of medically important mosquito-borne arboviruses in Great Britain

Abstract

Nine different arboviruses are known to be transmitted by, or associated with, mosquitoes in Europe, and several (West Nile, Sindbis and Tahyna viruses) are reported to cause outbreaks of human disease. Although there have been no reported human cases in Great Britain (GB), there have been no published in-depth serological surveys for evidence of human infection. This paper investigates the ecological and entomological factors that could influence or restrict transmission of these viruses in GB, suggesting that in addition to West Nile virus, Sindbis and Tahyna viruses could exist in enzootic cycles, and that certain ecological factors could facilitate transmission to humans. However, the level of transmission is likely to be lower than in endemic foci elsewhere in Europe due to key ecological differences related to spatial and temporal dynamics of putative mosquito vectors and presence of key reservoir hosts. Knowledge of the potential GB-specific disease ecology can aid assessments of risk from mosquito-borne arboviruses.

Assessing the Risks of West Nile Virus–Infected Mosquitoes from Transatlantic Aircraft: Implications for Disease Emergence in the United Kingdom

“…6), although the Scottish borders, and Eastern regions of the country seem to be slightly more represented. The South East has the highest proportion of recorded WNV-competent vectors, including both enzootic and bridge-vector species (Medlock et al 2007): the highest density of records lies at the north-east London and Essex border (Fig. 7).…”

“…Airports in the United States were divided geographically into three regions (Table 1), allowing differences in the prevalence of WNV in mosquitoes to be incorporated. Only the season May to October (a period of 184 days) was considered: this represents the period of highest risk (Medlock et al 2007), and the period when mosquito populations will be present in both the United Kingdom and United States.…”

“…We speculate that the formation of an infectious cycle would require an abundance of competent mosquitoes and reservoir hosts linked to optimum climatic conditions. In the United Kingdom, reservoir avian hosts that can act as amplifying hosts for WNV appear to be numerous, although mosquito densities are too low to sustain an infectious cycle (Medlock et al 2007). We speculate that climate change might be the most important factor for increasing mosquito numbers throughout Europe particularly in southern England during the warmer months and in allowing mosquitoes to survive during the winter period.…”

Mosquito-borne viruses in Europe

“…This review briefly summarizes the present knowledge about the European mosquito-borne viruses; for more details, see, e.g., Theiler and Downs (1973), Karabatsos (1985), Aspöck (1996), Hubálek and Halouzka (1996), Lundström (1999), Medlock et al (2007), and Gratz (2006).…”

Biosynthesized silver nanoparticles from Pedilanthus tithymaloides leaf extract with anti-developmental activity against larval instars of Aedes aegypti L. (Diptera; Culicidae)

“…For successful implementation of vector management programs, adequate knowledge about the mosquito species and their vector role is essential to maintain public health (Sundaravadivelan et al 2011). The availability of water sources and favorable climatic conditions create the suitable breeding sites for mosquitoes and their relative abundance among the mosquito populations, which are vectors of West Nile Virus, and maintain their enzootic cycles (Medlock et al 2006). …”