Schmallenberg virus in domestic cattle, Belgium, 2012

in Emerging Infectious Diseases (2012), 18(9), 1512-1514

The Schmallenberg virus emerged in summer-fall 2011 in North-West Europe. Nine months later, 91% of adult cattle living about 250 km from the emergence location tested positive for IgGs targeting the new ... [more ▼]

The Schmallenberg virus emerged in summer-fall 2011 in North-West Europe. Nine months later, 91% of adult cattle living about 250 km from the emergence location tested positive for IgGs targeting the new virus nucleoprotein. Further, the risk of infection of the fetus in an immunologically naive herd is 28%. [less ▲]

Multidisciplinary and Evidence-based Method for Prioritizing Diseases of Food-producing Animals and Zoonoses

in Emerging Infectious Diseases (2012), 18(4),

To prioritize 100 animal diseases and zoonoses in Europe, we used a multicriteria decision-making procedure based on opinions of experts and evidence-based data. Forty international experts performed ... [more ▼]

To prioritize 100 animal diseases and zoonoses in Europe, we used a multicriteria decision-making procedure based on opinions of experts and evidence-based data. Forty international experts performed intracategory and intercategory weighting of 57 prioritization criteria. Two methods (deterministic with mean of each weight and probabilistic with distribution functions of weights by using Monte Carlo simulation) were used to calculate a score for each disease. Consecutive ranking was established. Few differences were observed between each method. Compared with previous prioritization methods, our procedure is evidence based, includes a range of fields and criteria while considering uncertainty, and will be useful for analyzing diseases that affect public health [less ▲]

Brucella ceti infection in a harbor porpoise (Phocoena phocoena)

in Emerging Infectious Diseases (2010), 139(11), 254-7

Breeding sites of bluetongue virus vectors, Belgium

in Emerging Infectious Diseases (2010), 16(3), 575-576

Bluetongue Epidemiology in the European Union

in Emerging Infectious Diseases (2008), 14(4), 539-544

Bluetongue (BT) is a reportable disease of considerable socioeconomic concern and of major importance in the international trade of animals and animal products. Before 1998, BT was considered an exotic ... [more ▼]

Bluetongue (BT) is a reportable disease of considerable socioeconomic concern and of major importance in the international trade of animals and animal products. Before 1998, BT was considered an exotic disease in Europe. From 1998 through 2005, at least 6 BT virus strains belonging to 5 serotypes (BTV-1, BTV-2, BTV-4, BTV-9, and BTV-16) were continuously present in the Mediterranean Basin. Since August 2006, BTV-8 has caused a severe epizootic of BT in northern Europe. The widespread recrudescence and extension of BTV-8 infections in northern Europe during 2007 suggest that requirements for BTV establishment may now be fulfilled in this area. In addition, the radial extension of BTV-8 across Europe increases the risk for an encounter between this serotype and others, particularly those that occur in the Mediterranean Basin, where vector activity continues for more of the year. This condition increases the risk for reassortment of individual BTV gene segments. [less ▲]

Bluetongue in captive yaks.

in Emerging Infectious Diseases (2008), 14(4), 675-6

In August 2006, several Northern European countries including Belgium reported their first cases of bluetongue (BT). Surprisingly, it was the first time that BT was diagnosed so far in the northern ... [more ▼]

In August 2006, several Northern European countries including Belgium reported their first cases of bluetongue (BT). Surprisingly, it was the first time that BT was diagnosed so far in the northern hemisphere (1). BT is a non contagious, arthropod borne animal disease. The causal virus belongs to the genus Orbivirus in the family Reoviridae. The genome of the bluetongue virus (BTV) consists of 10 segments of double-stranded RNA and 24 serotypes have been reported (2). Serotype 8 (BTV-8) was implied in the emergence in Belgium (3). All ruminant species are thought to be susceptible to BT (2) but lack of data remains for certain species. We report here laboratory confirmed clinical cases of BT in yaks. [less ▲]

Plague and the human flea, Tanzania

in Emerging Infectious Diseases (2007), 13(5), 687-693

Domestic fleas were collected in 12 villages in the western Usambara Mountains in Tanzania. Of these, 7 are considered villages with high plague frequency, where human plague was recorded during at least ... [more ▼]

Domestic fleas were collected in 12 villages in the western Usambara Mountains in Tanzania. Of these, 7 are considered villages with high plague frequency, where human plague was recorded during at least 6 of the 17 plague seasons between 1986 and 2004. In the remaining 5 villages with low plague frequency, plague was either rare or unrecorded. Pulex irritans, known as the human flea, was the predominant flea species (72.4%) in houses. The density of P. irritans, but not of other domestic fleas, was significantly higher in villages with a higher plague frequency or incidence. Moreover, the P. irritans index was strongly positively correlated with plague frequency and with the logarithmically transformed plague incidence. These observations suggest that in Lushoto District human fleas may play a role in plague epidemiology. These findings are of immediate public health relevance because they provide an indicator that can be surveyed to assess the risk for plague. [less ▲]