Bluetongue Virus Serotype 1 Outbreak in the Basque Country (Northern Spain) 2007–2008. Data Support a Primary Vector Windborne Transport

BACKGROUND: Bluetongue (BT) is a vector-borne disease of ruminants that has expanded its traditional global distribution in the last decade. Recently, BTV-1 emerged in Southern Spain and caused several outbreaks in livestock reaching the north of the country. The aim of this paper was to review the emergence of BTV-1 in the Basque Country (Northern Spain) during 2007 and 2008 analyzing the possibility that infected Culicoides were introduced into Basque Country by winds from the infected areas of Southern Spain. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: We use a complex HYSPLIT (Hybrid Single-Particle Lagrangian Integrated Trajectory) model to draw wind roses and backward wind trajectories. The analysis of winds showed September 28 to October 2 as the only period for the introduction of infected midges in the Basque Country. These wind trajectories crossed through the areas affected by serotype 1 on those dates in the South of the Iberian Peninsula. Additionally meteorological data, including wind speed and humidity, and altitude along the trajectories showed suitable conditions for Culicoides survival and dispersion. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: An active infection in medium-long distance regions, wind with suitable speed, altitude and trajectory, and appropriate weather can lead to outbreaks of BTV-1 by transport of Culicoides imicola, not only over the sea (as reported previously) but also over the land. This shows that an additional factor has to be taken into account for the control of the disease which is currently essentially based on the assumption that midges will only spread the virus in a series of short hops. Moreover, the epidemiological and serological data cannot rule out the involvement of other Culicoides species in the spread of the infection, especially at a local level

An innovation path in Argentinean cow–calf operations: Insights from participatory farm system modelling

The information of how the high climatic variability in the south‐west Buenos Aires Province (SWBS) region, Argentina, impacts on existing cow–calf operations is needed. This research uses a combination of quantitative (modelling) and qualitative (workshops) methodologies. The objective was to assess, under interannual climate variability, the productive and economic performance and greenhouse gas emissions and the marginal value of additional feed of four cow–calf systems arranged as a potential farm innovation path in the SWBS, Argentina. Modelling results showed that along this technological path where forage crops are decreased, perennial pastures are increased and anticipated weaning is included, productive and economic outcomes increased and the emission intensity decreased. How extra feeds may be used to cope with seasonal and interannual feeding was also identified. Moreover, barriers to adopt the suggested farm innovation path were identified by farmers, consultants and extensionists and strategies and their implication discussed.EEA BordenaveFil: Fernandez Rosso, Catalina. Universidad Nacional del Centro de la provincia de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias. Centro de Investigación Veterinaria de Tandil. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Comisión de Investigaciones Científicas de la provincia de Buenos Aires; Argentina.Universidad Nacional del Centro de la provincia de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias; ArgentinaFil: Bilotto, Franco. Universidad Nacional del Centro de la provincia de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias. Centro de Investigación Veterinaria de Tandil. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Comisión de Investigaciones Científicas de la provincia de Buenos Aires; Argentina.Universidad Nacional del Centro de la provincia de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias; ArgentinaFil: Lauric, Miriam Andrea. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Bordenave. Agencia de Extensión Rural Bahía Blanca; ArgentinaFil: De Leo, Geronimo. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Bordenave. Agencia de Extensión Rural Bahía Blanca; ArgentinaFil: Torres Carbonell, Carlos Alberto. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Bordenave. Agencia de Extensión Rural Bahía Blanca; ArgentinaFil: Arroqui, Mauricio A. Universidad Nacional del Centro de la provincia de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas. ISISTAN Research Institute. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. ISISTAN Research Institute; ArgentinaFil: Sørensen, Claus G. Århus University. Faculty of Science and Technology. Department of Engineering; DinamarcaFil: Machado, Claudio F. Universidad Nacional del Centro de la provincia de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias; Argentina. Red Interinstitucional de Modelación Agropecuaria Buenos Aires Sur; Argentin