Vector Surveillance and Control

  • Yuval Gottlieb


Field observations and laboratory vector competence tests support the assumption that lumpy skin disease (LSD) virus is mechanically transmitted by arthropods. Various blood-feeding arthropods such as haematophagous flies, mosquitoes and ticks are suspected as potential vectors, but their vectorial capacity has never been tested (see detailed descriptions in the Epidemiology chapter). Given the mechanical transmission mode and the large distribution of LSD from Africa to Europe over diverse climate regions, it is possible that different vectors are found in different areas and also in different farm settings and locations within a small area. Thus, for assessing vectorial capacity and prompting vector control programmes, the recognition and targeting of the local potential vectors are required. For this, local entomological data should be adequately collected and analysed. Such data can be collected by performing wide-taxa surveys, targeting potential vectors that feed on the affected animals. A wide-taxa survey should be planned appropriately to capture taxa with diverse biological and ecological characters (i.e. activity time and biting rates, dispersal, developmental cycle and life span, resting and breeding sites). Planning should include specific taxon traps or collection methodology, adequate trap locations, time of collection and methodology of identification of the collected arthropods (for general guideline, see All steps are crucial for obtaining the relevant information on the vector abundance and seasonal dynamics, hence its relevance for vectorial capacity.


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© Springer International Publishing AG, part of Springer Nature 2018

Authors and Affiliations

  • Yuval Gottlieb
    • 1
  1. 1.Koret School of Veterinary MedicineThe Hebrew UniversityRehovotIsrael

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