Award details

Development of research capacity in Zimbabwe for investigations of arboviral infections

Reference	BBS/E/I/00000770
Principal Investigator / Supervisor	Professor Philip Mellor
Co-Investigators / Co-Supervisors
Institution	The Pirbright Institute
Department	The Pirbright Institute Department
Funding type	Research
Value (£)	130,020
Status	Completed
Type	Institute Project
Start date	01/09/1998
End date	31/08/2001
Duration	36 months

Abstract

Arboviruses cause significant losses to the Zimbabwean livestock industry, both directly in terms of disease and indirectly in terms of lost overseas markets. African horse sickness virus (AHSV), bluetongue virus (BTV), epizootic disease virus (EHDV) and equine encephalosis virus (EEV), all of which are transmitted by biting midges of the genus Culicoides are thought to be amongst the most important of the arboviruses that currently affect domestic animals in Zimbabwe though their status in that country (eg. serotypes present, spatial distribution, prevalence, seasonal incidence, degree of endemicity)has not been described and their Culicoides vectors are unknown. Here we propose to test the premise that these 4 viruses are of major significance in Zimbabwe, by determining their status, significance (in terms of disease impact) and the most important Culicoides vectors. More significantly the aims are: 1. To carry out structured serosurveys to determine the serotype, distribution, seasonal incidence and prevalence of AHSV, BTV, EHDV, & EEV in Zimbabwe. 2. To isolate and characterise arboviruses from domestic and wild animals in Zimbabwe and to determine the significance of their disease impact. 3. To identify the most likely Culicoides vectors of the study viruses in Zimbabwe. 4. To use the above data, and data from existing research projects, to recommend appropriate control strategies and to encourage the dissemination of this information. 5. To provide such training as may be necessary to Zimbabwean personnel to enable them to take a full and active part in the research.

Summary

unavailable

Committee	Closed Committee - Animal Sciences (AS)
Research Topics	X – not assigned to a current Research Topic
Research Priority	X – Research Priority information not available
Research Initiative	X - not in an Initiative
Funding Scheme	X – not Funded via a specific Funding Scheme

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