Location: Foreign Arthropod Borne Animal Disease Research
2021 Annual Report
Objectives
Objective 1: Identify factors associated with Bunyaviridae (Rift Valley Fever virus) infections, pathogenesis, and maintenance in vector and animal hosts.
• Characterize host, vector and bunyavirus interactions (molecular and cellular) associated with virus infection.
• Characterize the host immune response in susceptible animal hosts and determine influences that determine clinical outcomes during primary RVFV infections.
• Further identify competent mosquito species in the United States that can amplify and spread RVFV, and also investigate the capacity for U.S. culicoides and ticks to become competent vectors.
• Identify mosquito species that transmit RVFV transovarially.
• Determine the risk of transmitting RVFV through unpasteurized milk consumption.
• Determine the risk of transmitting RVFV through semen.
• Determine the infectious period of RVF virus in cattle and sheep (the period of viremia sufficiently high to result in infection of mosquitoes) and use these data to improve epidemiological models.
Objective 2: Identify factors affecting the inter-epidemic cycle and disease emergence caused by Rift Valley Fever virus
• Identify epidemiological and ecological factors affecting the inter-epidemic cycle.
• Develop means to detect and characterize emergent arboviral diseases and use these data to generate models that predict future outbreaks.
• Determine the infectious period of RVF virus in cattle and sheep (the period of viremia sufficiently high to result in infection of mosquitoes) and use these data to improve epidemiological models.
Objective 3. Develop intervention strategies to effectively control Rift Valley Fever virus and contain disease outbreaks.
• Evaluate and improve existing and new diagnostic tests and testing strategies for RVF virus surveillance, detection, and recovery from disease outbreaks.
• Evaluate existing vaccine platforms and develop strategies designed to rapidly control and prevent RVF virus outbreaks.
Approach
The research addresses the following research components in the 2022-2027 Animal Health National Program (NP 103) Action Plan: 1) Component 1: Biodefense, Problem Statement 1A, Control and eradicate foreign animal diseases and Problem Statement 1B, Predict and prevent emerging diseases. The research addresses ARS Strategic Plan Goal 4.3 and the following Performance Measure: Provide scientific information to protect animals, humans, and property from the negative effects of pests, and infectious diseases, and develop and transfer tools to the agricultural community, commercial partners, and government agencies to control or eradicate domestic and exotic diseases and pests that affect animal and human health.
Progress Report
In regard to Objective 1, six associated agreements are being developed which will aid in identifying factors associated with Rift Valley Fever virus (RVFV) infections, pathogenesis, and maintenance in vector and animal hosts.
In regard to Objective 2, two associated agreements are being developed which will aid in identifying factors affecting the inter-epidemic cycle and disease emergence caused by RVFV.
In regard to Objective 3, three associated agreements are being developed which will aid in developing intervention strategies to effectively control RVFV and contain disease outbreaks.
In Fiscal Year 2021 a new research unit was established in Manhattan, Kansas, which focuses on foreign arthropod-borne research. Four scientists and four technical support staff were reassigned from another ARS research facility in Manhattan, Kansas to establish this important work. While the new facility is under construction, research will continue at existing ARS laboratories, however ongoing discussions with collaborators will work to secure additional laboratory space.
Accomplishments
