Twenty participants from across Australia came together in Orange, NSW, recently to focus on the identification of species of Culicoides species biting midges, which can transmit viruses such as Bluetongue virus and Akabane virus.
The culicoides entomology training workshop, part of AHAs National Arbovirus Monitoring Program (NAMP), was led and delivered by AHAs Dr Bronwyn Hendry and Emily Sears, along with the NAMP Reference Entomologists Dr Glenn Bellis, Dr Birgit Loecker and the NSW DPI Biosecurity Collection staff, at the Orange Agricultural Institute in NSW from 30 January through to 3 February.
The workshop focused on participants testing the identification keys in a new, comprehensive Culicoides identification manual, which will be a valuable reference document for the NAMP.
Dr Bronwyn Hendry, AHA’s Head of Program – Animal Health Surveillance and Monitoring, said, “We know there is a critical shortage in professionals in Australia who can identify insects which can transmit arboviruses to livestock. In planning and running workshops like this, we aim to support the expertise of these professionals across Australia.”
The NAMP monitors the distribution of economically important arboviruses (insect-borne viruses) of ruminant livestock and associated insect vectors in Australia. Arboviruses monitored by the NAMP include bluetongue, Akabane and bovine ephemeral fever (BEF) viruses.
The feedback was universally positive, with participants reporting that, in addition to significantly improving their Culicoides identification skills, the workshops gave them a valuable face-to-face opportunity to build networks.
About Arboviruses
- Arboviruses include Bluetongue virus and African horse sickness (transmitted by Culicoides), lumpy skin disease (transmitted by a wide range of biting insects) and Japanese encephalitis virus (transmitted by mosquitoes).
- Risks to the livestock industries associated with arboviruses are likely to increase due to climate change. Many types of insects that transmit arboviruses are more likely to be present in areas with flooding or where overnight minimum temperatures are warmer.