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Hantaviruses are globally distributed and cause severe human disease. Puumala hantavirus (PUUV) is the most common species in Northern Europe, and the only hantavirus confirmed to circulate in Sweden, restricted to the northern regions of the country. In this study, we aimed to further add to the natural ecology of PUUV in Sweden by investigating prevalence, and spatial and host species infection patterns. Specifically, we wanted to ascertain whether PUUV was present in the natural reservoir, the bank vole (Myodes glareolus) further south than Dalalven river, in south-central Sweden, and whether PUUV can be detected in other rodent species in addition to the natural reservoir. In total, 559 animals were collected at Grimso (59 degrees 43 ' N; 15 degrees 28 ' E), Sala (59 degrees 55 ' N; 16 degrees 36 ' E) and Bogesund (59 degrees 24 ' N; 18 degrees 14 ' E) in south-central Sweden between May 2013 and November 2014. PUUV ELISA-reactive antibodies were found both in 2013 (22/295) and in 2014 (18/264), and nine samples were confirmed as PUUV-specific by focus reduction neutralization test. Most of the PUUV-specific samples were from the natural host, the bank vole, but also from other rodent hosts, indicating viral spill-over. Finally, we showed that PUUV is present in more highly populated central Sweden.

This paper reports the results of a seminar on poultry red mite (PRM), Dermanyssus gallinae. Eighteen researchers from eight European countries discussed life cycle issues of the mite, effects of mites on hens and egg production, and monitoring and control methods for PRM in poultry facilities. It was determined that PRM probably causes more damage than envisaged, with the cost in The Netherlands alone reaching 11 million euro per annum. However a great deal is still unknown about PRM (e.g. reproduction, survival methods, etc.) and that PRM monitoring is an important instrument in recognising and admitting the problem and in taking timely measures. Currently, the most promising control method combines heating the hen house in combination with chemical treatments. Future areas of development which show promise include the use of entomopathogenic fungi, vaccination and predatory mites. The final aim is to solve the problem of D. gallinae in housing systems for laying hens

Biting midges (Diptera, Ceratopogonidae) of the genus Culicoides are important vectors of pathogens causing diseases in free living and production animals and can lead to large economic losses in many European countries. In Europe, Culicoides imicola and the Obsoletus group are considered to be the main vectors of bluetongue virus that mostly affects ruminants such as cattle and sheep. Spatio-temporal modelling of vector distribution and abundance allows us to identify high risk areas for virus transmission and can aid in applying effective surveillance and control measures. We used presence-absence and monthly abundance data of Culicoides from 1005 sites across 9 countries (Spain, France, Denmark, Poland, Switzerland, Austria, Poland, Sweden, Norway) collected between the years 2007 and 2013. The dataset included information on the vector species abundance (number of specimens caught per night), GPS coordinates of each trap, start and end dates of trapping. We used 120 environmental predictor variables together with Random Forest machine learning algorithms to predict the overall species distribution (probability of occurrence) and monthly abundance in Europe. We generated maps for every month of the year, to visualize the abundance of C. imicola and Obsoletus group in Europe as well as distribution maps showing the probability of occurrence. We were able to create predictive maps of both Culicoides sp. occurrence and abundance using Random Forest models, and although the variance was large, the predicted abundance values for each site had a positive correlation with the observed abundance. We found relatively large spatial variations in probability of occurrence and abundance for both C. imicola and the Obsoletus group. For C. imicola probability of occurrence and abundance was higher in southern Spain, where as the Obsoletus group had higher probability of occurrence and abundance in central and northern Europe such as France and Germany. Temp

One of the aims of the DynVect project was to set up a network of European entomologists working on Culicoides, the vectors of bluetongue virus, to create a platform for discussion, data sharing and data analysis. The first task consisted in describing the surveillance systems in place in each country. For this, a questionnaire was sent to 9 countries: Belgium, Denmark, England, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Sweden and The Netherlands. Between 1 and 9 institutes per country were involved in the surveillance. The first country to set up a surveillance system was Spain (in 2000), followed by other southern countries (Italy and France). A second wave of countries set up surveillance systems in 2006, with the arrival of bluetongue in northern Europe. All countries currently continue the surveillance except Germany (which stopped the surveillance in mid 2008). All countries shared common aims: defining "vector-free" periods and describing the diversity and dynamics of species. Except in Italy, all surveillance protocols evolved over the years, for example from covering specific regions to the entire country, and/or with an increasing number of traps. Surveillance systems vary between countries in terms of i) number of traps per country (5 - 300), ii) types of traps used (OVI, CDC, BG, Rieb, Rothamsted suction trap), although currently all countries use OVI traps except for Spain, iii) trapping frequency (day and night, weekly, fortnightly or monthly), iv) number of collection nights (mainly 1 night trapping, except Belgium with 2 consecutive nights and Germany with 7 consecutive days), v) trap location within farm (inside or outside buildings or both according to the season), vi) the level to which species are identified (Group, Complex or species) and vii) the definition of the vector-free period. Following this descriptive phase, participants discussed the data which could be shared and the associated aims as well as the database structure which should be used. This w

One of the aims of the DynVect project was to set up a network of European entomologists working on #Culicoides#, the vectors of bluetongue virus, to create a platform for discussion, data sharing and data analysis. The first task consisted in describing the surveillance systems in place in each country. For this, a questionnaire was sent to 9 countries: Belgium, Denmark, England, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Sweden and The Netherlands. Between 1 and 9 institutes per country were involved in the surveillance. The first country to set up a surveillance system was Spain (in 2000), followed by other southern countries (Italy and France). A second wave of countries set up surveillance systems in 2006, with the arrival of bluetongue in northern Europe. All countries currently continue the surveillance except Germany (which stopped the surveillance in mid 2008). All countries shared common aims: defining "vector-free" periods and describing the diversity and dynamics of species. Except in Italy, all surveillance protocols evolved over the years, for example from covering specific regions to the entire country, and/or with an increasing number of traps. Surveillance systems vary between countries in terms of i) number of traps per country (5 - 300), ii) types of traps used (OVI, CDC, BG, Rieb, Rothamsted suction trap), although currently all countries use OVI traps except for Spain, iii) trapping frequency (day and night, weekly, fortnightly or monthly), iv) number of collection nights (mainly 1 night trapping, except Belgium with 2 consecutive nights and Germany with 7 consecutive days), v) trap location within farm (inside or outside buildings or both according to the season), vi) the level to which species are identified (Group, Complex or species) and vii) the definition of the vector-free period. Following this descriptive phase, participants discussed the data which could be shared and the associated aims as well as the database structure which should be used. This

This paper reports the results of a seminar on poultry red mite (PRM), Dermanyssus gallinae. Eighteen researchers from eight European countries discussed life cycle issues of the mite, effects of mites on hens and egg production, and monitoring and control methods for PRM in poultry facilities. It was determined that PRM probably causes more damage than envisaged, with the cost in The Netherlands alone reaching 11 million euro per annum. However a great deal is still unknown about PRM (e.g. reproduction, survival methods, etc.) and that PRM monitoring is an important instrument in recognising and admitting the problem and in taking timely measures. Currently, the most promising control method combines heating the hen house in combination with chemical treatments. Future areas of development which show promise include the use of entomopathogenic fungi, vaccination and predatory mites. The final aim is to solve the problem of D. gallinae in housing systems for laying hens.

The vertical distribution of adult mosquitoes was studied in southern (Norra Angstrom sum) and central Sweden (Tarnsjo) during August 1995, with an emphasis on the ornithophilic species Culiseta morsitans (Theobald), Culex pipiens L., and Culex torrentium, Addresses: Lundstrom JO, SWEDISH INST INFECT DIS CONTROL, VIROL UNIT, S-10521 STOCKHOLM, SWEDEN. UPPSALA UNIV, DEPT ZOOL, S-75236 UPPSALA, SWEDEN. NATL VET INST, DEPT PARASITOL, S-75007 UPPSALA, SWEDEN.

This review covers the geographic distribution and host relationships of the tick species in Sweden. Ixodes uriae White, I. caledonicus Nuttall, I. unicavatus Neumann, I. arboricola Schulze & Schlottke, and I. lividus Koch are ornithophagous species. I. trianguliceps Birula, I. canisuga Johnston, I. hexagonus Leach, and Argas vespertilionis (Latreille) are mammalophagous. I. ricinus (L.) and Haemaphysalis punctata Canestrini & Fanzago feed on both birds and mammals. All these tick species may be considered to be permanently present in Sweden. I. persulcatus Schulze, Hyalomma marginatum Koch, and the brown dog tick, Rhipicephalus sanguineus (Latreille), may be regarded as not indigenous to Sweden although they may be regularly introduced by spring-migrating birds or imported dogs, respectively. The first European record of the American dog tick, Dermacentor variabilis (Say), is reported. There are several records of Hyalomma aegyptium (L.) from imported tortoises in Sweden. Excluding other ticks imported on exotic pets and zoo animals, another 13 tick species are listed that may occur, at least occasionally, in Sweden. Because of its wide geographic distribution, great abundance, and wide host range, I. ricinus is medically the most important arthropod in northern Europe. I. ricinus is common in southern and south-central Sweden and along the coast of northern Sweden and has been recorded from 29 mammal species, 56 bird species, and two species of lizards in Sweden alone. The potential introduction to Sweden of exotic pathogens with infected ticks (e.g., I. persulcatus and H. marginatum on birds or Dermacentor spp. and R. sanguineus on mammals) is evident.

This paper reports the results of a seminar on poultry red mite (PRM), Dermanyssus gallinae. Eighteen researchers from eight European countries discussed life cycle issues of the mite, effects of mites on hens and egg production, and monitoring and control methods for PRM in poultry facilities. It was determined that PRM probably causes more damage than envisaged, with the cost in The Netherlands alone reaching 11 million euro per annum. However a great deal is still unknown about PRM (e.g. reproduction, survival methods, etc.) and that PRM monitoring is an important instrument in recognising and admitting the problem and in taking timely measures. Currently, the most promising control method combines heating the hen house in combination with chemical treatments. Future areas of development which show promise include the use of entomopathogenic fungi, vaccination and predatory mites. The final aim is to solve the problem of D. gallinae in housing systems for laying hens