Table 11.
Assessment of the recommendations from the EFSA opinion on bluetongue vectors and insecticides (EFSA, 2008) (left column), and their endorsement or the new modified version (right column)
| Recommendations from EFSA opinion (2008) | Endorsement or new version of the recommendations |
|---|---|
| In order to better understand the current distribution of the species included in the ‘Obsoletus assemblages’, it is recommended to perform co‐ordinated European surveys using the molecular identification of C. obsoletus/C. scoticus females to species level. In addition, the routine identification of males from these species is also advisable to have a better picture of each species distribution. These data should be made available in the EU centralised database (BT‐Net) |
This recommendation is still valid for most of the European countries The current VectorNet initiative covers this issue Bt‐Net is no longer available, and current updating of vector distribution is covered by Vectornet consortium |
| An increased number of sampling sites around the known northern limits of the range of C. imicola is recommended to improve understand of the role of this species in the northward spread of BTV | This recommendation is no longer relevant, considering the role of transmission of Northern European species and considering that C. imicola is not experiencing a quick and relevant spread to northern countries |
| Molecular techniques should be used for the differentiation of species from the Obsoletus and Pulicaris assemblages, especially in epidemiologically relevant areas. Where possible these techniques should be integrated into surveillance schemes | This recommendation is still valid, particularly to apply molecular techniques in a routine basis to national surveillance programs |
| Training on dipteran taxonomy is additionally also recommended to be conducted at a European level. Varying levels of circumstantial evidence has linked C. imicola, C. obsoletus, C. scoticus, C. dewulfi, C. chiopterus and species of the Pulicaris assemblage with BTV transmission in Europe. Consequently, targeted surveys should be undertaken for defining their temporal and spatial distributions across Europe | Information has been improved in most European countries, and specific actions on BTV vector taxonomy should be carried out where there are still knowledge gaps |
| A standardisation of techniques to implicate field‐caught Culicoides vectors in BTV transmission is required. It is recommended that this be used to harmonise studies across Europe as, to date, testing methods, in northern Europe particularly, have been inadequate | Common protocols for analysis of potential BTV vector species are recommended across Europe. Ring trials among national reference laboratories are also recommended |
| Laboratory testing for vector competence should be carried out, where possible, in parallel with field‐based testing (EFSA, 2008) | This recommendation is still needed. Efforts on establish a Palaearctic species colony different of the current available of C. nubeculosus is strongly recommended to progress on the understanding of vector competence at the European level |
| Analyses of the vector competence of particular species should be made with reference not only to the ability of the vector to become infected by, replicate and transmit the virus but also to its wider ecological requirements (i.e. its vector capacity), which may vary with region and season | This recommendation is still valid |