What is new about the Culicoides identification freeware?

In the framework of Medreonet workpackage on "Regional surveillance of vectors", a Culicoides identification key based on morphology is proposed. This key will help to identify the different Culicoides species, including those of the Palaearctic region. The tool will be available in a freeware version and in a web version. At time of writing, the key was not yet available but a first draft version was to be presented soon after to Culicoides taxonomists so as to improve it. Currently, females of 85 species including 9 morphological variations are included in a database of 63 descriptors codified in 172 states. These descriptors and states of descriptors were discussed and validated by the participants of the last taxonomic meeting in Strasbourg, France, in March 2009. (Texte intégral

Rift Valley Fever in Ruminants, Republic of Comoros, 2009

This work was supported with Fonds Européens de Développement Régional funds from the European Union within the Project “Programme de Coopération Scientifique sur les Maladies Animales Emergentes dans l’Océan Indien.”International audienceRift Valley fever (RVF) is caused by a Phlebovirus (family Bunyaviridae) transmitted by a wide range of mosquitoes (1). This zoonotic disease is present in Africa, the Middle East, and Madagascar. Infections by RVF virus (RVFV) in ruminants cause massive abortions in livestock and high death rates in young animals, which result in major economic consequences. Humans are infected by mosquito bites, contact, or inhalation of aerosols. RVF is frequently unapparent or mild for humans, inducing an influenza-like illness that occasionally leads to more serious complications such as hemorrhage, meningoencephalitis, retinopathy, or even death. The improvement of the Comorian veterinary services and the setting up of surveillance programs are essential to limit the risk of introducing devastating diseases in the area