title: Impact of temperature, feeding preference and vaccination on Schmallenberg virus transmission in Scotland.
abstract: First identified in 2011, Schmallenberg virus (SBV) is principally transmitted by Culicoides midges and affects ruminants. Clinical presentation is typified by foetal abnormalities, but despite very high infection rates, relatively few animals present with clinical signs. In this paper we further develop a previously published stochastic mathematical model of SBV spread to investigate the optimal deployment of a vaccine for SBV in Scotland, a country that has experienced only sporadic and isolated cases of SBV. We consider the use of the vaccine under different temperatures and explore the effects of a vector preference for feeding on cattle. We demonstrate that vaccine impact is optimised by targeting it at the high risk areas in the south of Scotland, or vaccinating only cattle. At higher than average temperatures, and hence increased transmission potential, the relative impact of vaccination is considerably enhanced. Vaccine impact is also enhanced if vectors feed preferentially on cattle. These findings are of considerable importance when planning control strategies for SBV and also have important implications for management of other arboviruses such as Bluetongue virus. Environmental determinants and feeding preferences should be researched further to inform development of effective control strategies.
authors.affiliation: The Roslin Institute, The University of Edinburgh, Easter Bush, EH25 9RG.
authors.forename: Paul R
authors.initials: PR
authors.lastname: Bessell
authors.affiliation: Epidemiology Research Unit, SRUC, Drummond Hill, Stratherrick Road, Inverness, IV2 4JZ.
authors.forename: Harriet K
authors.initials: HK
authors.lastname: Auty
authors.affiliation: Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, Bush Estate, Edinburgh, EH26 0QB.
authors.forename: Kate R
authors.initials: KR
authors.lastname: Searle
authors.affiliation: The Roslin Institute, The University of Edinburgh, Easter Bush, EH25 9RG.
authors.forename: Ian G
authors.initials: IG
authors.lastname: Handel
authors.affiliation: Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, Maclean Building, Benson Lane, Crowmarsh Gifford, Wallingford, OX10 8BB.
authors.forename: Bethan V
authors.initials: BV
authors.lastname: Purse
authors.affiliation: The Roslin Institute, The University of Edinburgh, Easter Bush, EH25 9RG.
authors.forename: B Mark
authors.initials: BM
authors.lastname: de C Bronsvoort
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002044:Bunyaviridae Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000635:transmission / Q000662:veterinary*; D002417:Cattle; D002418:Cattle Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000635:transmission*; D002519:Ceratopogonidae / Q000502:physiology / Q000821:virology; D002980:Climate; D058872:Epidemics; D005518:Food Preferences; D007303:Insect Vectors / Q000502:physiology / Q000821:virology; D015233:Models, Statistical; D016851:Orthobunyavirus / Q000276:immunology*; D012606:Scotland; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies; D014611:Vaccination