Latest news with #vectorborne
Medscape
21-05-2025
- Health
- Medscape
West Nile Virus Found in UK Mosquitoes for the First Time
Genetic fragments of the West Nile virus (WNV) have been detected in mosquitoes in the UK for the first time during a national surveillance programme. The virus was identified in two samples of the Aedes vexans species of mosquito collected in July 2023 from wetlands on the River Idle near Gamston in Nottinghamshire. These results are part of the Vector-Borne RADAR (Real-time Arbovirus Detection And Response) programme, which uses polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing to detect zoonotic, mosquito-borne viruses in the UK. The programme is run by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) and the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA). The UKHSA said that more than 30,000 mosquitoes and 300 birds from high-risk areas of England were tested in 2023 and 2024. All other samples tested negative. Detection of WNV in mosquitoes in the UK is 'not unexpected', according to Dr Meera Chand, deputy director at the UKHSA, who explained that the virus is already widespread in Europe. 'The risk to the general public is currently assessed as very low,' she added. Migratory Birds May Have Brought WNV to UK WNV is a vector-borne disease of the Flaviviridae family, which also includes the viruses that cause dengue and yellow fever. It is usually found in birds, and typically circulates through bird-biting mosquitoes. Professor Grant Hughes, from the Department of Vector Biology at the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, told the Science Media Centre: 'The virus potentially entered the UK via migratory birds.' In rare cases mosquitoes can transmit the virus to humans or horses. However, there have been no cases of locally acquired WNV detected in humans or horses in the UK to date, the UKHSA noted. James Logan, professor of medical entomology at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, said, 'the detection of the virus in mosquitoes marks a significant step in that direction'. Most people infected with WNV are asymptomatic or present with mild influenza-like symptoms that resolve within a few days. However, a small number of cases — fewer than 1% — develop more severe illness, including encephalitis. The UKHSA has issued advice to healthcare professionals to consider WNV testing for patients with unexplained encephalitis. Testing is available through the UKHSA's Rare and Imported Pathogens Laboratory. Nuisance Biting Aedes vexans is native to the UK and, although uncommon, can occur at high densities in river floodplains and lakes. They are known to cause considerable nuisance biting to humans where aquatic areas are close to habitation. 'Mosquitoes breed in a range of natural wetlands, but can also be common in gardens – breeding in container habitats like water butts and buckets,' highlighted Dr Jolyon Medlock, head of medical entomology and zoonoses ecology at the UKHSA. The agency encourages the public to report unusual mosquito activity via its mosquito surveillance scheme . Climate Changes WNV is endemic in parts of Africa, Asia, the Americas, and southern Europe. Its range has expanded in recent years, reaching more northern and western parts of Europe. The UKHSA's 2023 report on climate change and health warned that climate change could lead to mosquitoes carrying dengue fever becoming established in parts of southern England by the middle of the century, as well as a rise in vector-borne diseases. 'The detection of West Nile Virus in the UK is part of a wider changing landscape where, in the wake of climate change, mosquito-borne diseases are expanding to new areas,' said Dr Arran Folly, arbovirologist at the APHA and lead of the Vector-Borne RADAR programme. Professor Matthew Baylis, chair in veterinary epidemiology at the University of Liverpool, called for increased surveillance in mosquitoes, birds, and humans. For now, the UKHSA advises that the main risk to UK residents remains travel to countries where WNV is endemic.
National Post
12-05-2025
- Health
- National Post
Antech™ Expands Vector-Borne Disease Portfolio with Enhanced Accuplex™ and Most Comprehensive PCR Panel to Date
Article content Article content LOVELAND, Colo. — Antech™, a global veterinary diagnostics, technology and imaging company, today announced the launch of two new vector-borne disease diagnostics in their expanding portfolio: enhanced Accuplex™, a reference lab canine vector-borne disease (CVBD) screening test which now detects seven pathogens, and an enhanced vector-borne disease PCR profile, the veterinary industry's most comprehensive PCR panel of its kind. Article content Based on current testing data disseminated by the Companion Animal Parasite Council (CAPC), Antech scientists estimate that tens of millions of dogs in North America are not tested for exposure to CVBDs annually. As cases of canine heartworm disease and tick-borne pathogens continue to rise in both endemic and emerging regions, Antech is committed to expanded care for dogs being exposed to these serious diseases. Article content Enhanced Accuplex can now detect antibodies to three Ehrlichia species, and two Anaplasma species, alongside heartworm (Dirofilaria immitis) antigen, and antibodies to confirm exposure to Lyme borreliosis (Borrelia burgdorferi). With the rising prevalence of tick-borne diseases across North America, this expanded detection capability ensures broader coverage and greater confidence in diagnostic results, ultimately supporting informed clinical decision-making. Article content Antech is also offering a new enhanced vector-borne disease PCR panel for dogs and cats to ensure veterinarians have comprehensive diagnostic offerings to meet emerging disease risks. While the traditional 'big four' vector-borne diseases (heartworm, Lyme borreliosis, anaplasmosis, and ehrlichiosis) remain the most diagnosed in North America, rising cases and increased geographical spread of Rocky Mountain spotted fever, babesiosis, cytauxzoonosis, and others demand wider flexibility in testing. Antech's enhanced vector-borne disease PCR panel is unique in the industry in providing veterinarians with the most comprehensive array of vector-borne pathogens in the veterinary industry to date. Article content The launch of enhanced Accuplex and the comprehensive vector-borne disease PCR panel follows the March 2025 announcement of Antech's new patient-side vector-borne disease screening test, trūRapid™ FOUR, a lateral flow test using whole blood, serum, or plasma to detect heartworm antigen and the complete suite of tick-borne antibodies encompassed in the enhanced Accuplex reference lab offering. Article content Jimmy Barr, DVM, DACVECC, Chief Medical Officer for Mars Petcare's Science & Diagnostics division and Antech, said: 'Today, we celebrate our capability to offer veterinarians the flexibility to screen for these life-threatening vector-borne diseases with a complete portfolio of reference lab and in-house diagnostic offerings, meaning no other lab matches Antech in the breadth and depth of parasite and vector-borne diseases screening. The addition of two new Ehrlichia markers and one new Anaplasma marker to our Accuplex reference lab platform, as well as the launch of our PCR panel, will help ensure we can test more comprehensively for exposure to the most common vector-borne pathogens in North America.' Article content Key Features of enhanced Accuplex include: Article content Expanded Pathogen Detection: Accuplex now detects three Ehrlichia species and two Anaplasma species, increasing test sensitivity and allowing broader vector-borne disease screening across more regions. Reference Lab Testing: Ensures reproducibility and reduces variability with highly trained technicians performing each assay. Peace of Mind: Provides reliable and precise testing, fostering confidence among veterinarians and pet owners alike. Article content Broader pathogen detection: This panel detects more vector-borne pathogens giving clinicians the best opportunity to identify the underlying cause of illness. PCR vs. serology: While antibody production can lag behind infection, PCR is often the better choice for when VBD is suspected but not confirmed. It's also highly valuable when serology may miss early infection. Common yet overlapping clinical signs: Vector-borne diseases frequently present with nonspecific or overlapping signs; improved PCR helps clarify these complex cases. Resistance marker: The panel includes a new resistance marker, specifically detecting atovaquone resistance – a growing concern in the treatment of Babesia and Cytauxzoon infections. This supports responsible antimicrobial use and better-informed treatment decisions. Article content Antech at AVMA Article content Visit Antech at the AVMA Convention 2025 and the 40th World Veterinary Association Congress which will take place July 18-22, 2025 in Washington, D.C. to find out more about our vector-borne disease portfolio and to speak to a sales representative. Article content Antech is a global veterinary diagnostics company, driven by our passion for innovation that helps veterinarians deliver better animal health outcomes. Our products and services span 90+ reference laboratories around the globe; in-house diagnostic laboratory instruments and consumables, including rapid assay diagnostic products and digital cytology services; local and cloud-based data services; practice information management software and related software and support; veterinary imaging and technology; veterinary professional education and training; and board-certified specialist support services. Article content Article content Article content Article content Article content
