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ARS Home » Plains Area » Manhattan, Kansas » Center for Grain and Animal Health Research » ABADRU » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #418054
Research Project: Predicting and Mitigating Vesicular Stomatitis Virus (VSV) in North America

Location: Arthropod-borne Animal Diseases Research

Title: Vesicular stomatitis virus detected in biting midges and black flies during 2023 outbreak in southern California

Author
item Scroggs, Stacey
item Swanson, Dustin
item Steele, Taylor
item Hudson, Amy
item Reister-Hendricks, Lindsey
item Gutierrez, Jessica
item Phillips, Evan
item McGregor, Bethany
item Taylor, Caitlin
item Davis, Travis
item LAMBERSKI, NADINE - San Diego Zoo
item PHAIR, KRISTEN - San Diego Zoo
item HOWARD, LAUREN - San Diego Zoo
item MCCONNELL, NATHAN - San Diego County Vector Control
item GURFIELD, NIKOS - San Diego County Vector Control
item Drolet, Barbara
item PELZEL-MCCLUSKY, ANGELA - Animal And Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS)
item Cohnstaedt, Lee

Submitted to: Viruses
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 9/4/2024
Publication Date: 9/7/2024
Citation: Scroggs, S.L., Swanson, D.A., Steele, T.D., Hudson, A.R., Reister-Hendricks, L.M., Gutierrez, J., Phillips, E.S., McGregor, B.L., Taylor, C.E., Davis, T.M., Lamberski, N., Phair, K.A., Howard, L.L., Mcconnell, N.E., Gurfield, N., Drolet, B.S., Pelzel-Mcclusky, A.M., Cohnstaedt, L.W. 2024. Vesicular stomatitis virus detected in biting midges and black flies during 2023 outbreak in southern California. Viruses. 16(9), 1428. https://doi.org/10.3390/v16091428.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/v16091428

Interpretive Summary: Vesicular stomatitis virus is a viral disease affecting horses, cattle, and swine that is transmitted though direct contact and biting insects. In 2023, an outbreak occurred in California, Nevada, and Texas infecting horses, cattle, and rhinoceros. To identify possible insect vectors, an insect surveillance study was conducted in San Diego County, CA from May to August that collected over 3500 biting midges and black flies. Pools of species-specific insects were tested for viral RNA and infectious virus. Nine RNA-positive pools of biting midges and 16- RNA positive pools of black flies were identified. This is the first report of VSV RNA in six species of biting midges and black flies. Vector surveillance and testing during disease outbreaks increases our understanding of the ecology and epidemiology of vesicular stomatitis.

Technical Abstract: Vesicular stomatitis (VS) is a viral disease of horses, cattle, and swine that is transmitted by di-rect contact and hematophagous insects. In 2023, a multi-state outbreak of vesicular stomatitis New Jersey virus (VSNJV) occurred in California, Nevada, and Texas, infecting horses, cattle, and rhinoceros. To identify possible insect vectors, we conducted insect surveillance at various locations in San Diego County, CA, including at a wildlife park. CO2 baited traps set from mid-May to mid-August 2023 collected 2357 Culicoides biting midges and 1215 Simulium black flies, two insect genera implicated in VSNJV transmission. Insects were pooled by species, location, and date, then tested for viral RNA. Nine RNA-positive pools of Culicoides spp. and 16 RNA-positive pools of Simulium spp were detected. Infectious virus was detected by cytopathic effect in 96% of the RNA-positive pools. This is the first report of VSNJV in wild-caught C. bergi, C. freeborni, C. occidentalis, S. argus, S. hippovorum, and S. tescorum. The vector competency of these species for VSNJV has yet to be determined but warrants examination. Active vector surveillance and testing during disease outbreaks increases our understanding of the ecology and epidemiol-ogy of VS and informs vector control efforts.