Molecular and reverse genetics studies of orbivirus transmission host responses epidemiology and diagnostic systems

自1998年以来，蓝舌病已多次侵入南欧、中欧和北方。这些爆发涉及至少12种不同的蓝舌病病毒（BTV）毒株，属于9种不同的血清型，并导致200多万只动物死亡。此外，由于生产力下降、作为控制方案的一部分而限制动物流动和贸易，造成了重大的经济损失。这些事件表明，整个欧洲联盟现在都面临着进一步引入BTV的风险，以及其他可能与BTV相关的环状病毒，特别是那些也通过库蠓媒介传播的病毒（包括非洲马瘟病毒[AHSV]，流行性出血病病毒[EHDV]和马脑炎病毒[EEV]）。令人担忧的是，AHSV、EHDV和EEV在欧盟以外的以色列、土耳其以及北非和西非被发现，现在对欧洲的牲畜构成了进一步的重大威胁。该提案将建立一个由9个实验室组成的“OrbiNet”网络，重点研究8个欧洲国家和以色列的BTV和相关环状病毒。“OrbiNet”合作伙伴包括已经在研究环状病毒和相关疾病的大学部门、政府实验室和参考中心。OrbiNet的目标是提供培训，分享试剂和专门知识，并开展有针对性的研究方案，总体目标是更好地了解环状病毒的传播、流行病学、发病机制，并开发更好的诊断技术。这些活动将提高研究能力和能力，并增加伙伴实验室的知识基础和专门知识，从而支持开发更好的工具/战略，以预防和控制这些具有重要经济意义的动物病原体。OrbiNet将与科学界、政府机构、欧盟和行业密切联系，以利用所产生的知识，并帮助为欧盟一级的动物卫生研究政策和活动提供信息。

Since 1998, there have been multiple incursions of bluetongue into Southern, Central and Northern Europe. These outbreaks have involved at least 12 distinct bluetongue virus (BTV) strains, belonging to 9 different serotypes and have lead to the death of more than two million animals. In addition, significant economic losses have been incurred due to loss in productivity, restrictions in animal movements and trade as part of control programmes. These events demonstrate that the entire European Union is now at risk from further introductions of BTV, and potentially of other BTV-related related Orbiviruses, particularly those also transmitted by Culicoides vectors (including African horse sickness virus [AHSV], epizootic haemorrhagic disease virus [EHDV] and equine encephalosis virus [EEV]). Worryingly, AHSV, EHDV and EEV have been detected just outside the EU in Israel, Turkey, as well as North and West Africa and now pose a further significant threat to livestock in Europe. This proposal will establish 'OrbiNet', a network of 9 laboratories focussing on research on BTV and related orbiviruses in 8 European countries and Israel. The 'OrbiNet' Partners include university departments, government laboratories and reference centres that already work on orbiviruses and associated diseases. The goals of OrbiNet are to provide training, share reagents and expertise, and conduct targeted research programmes with the overall aim to better understand orbivirus transmission, epidemiology, pathogenesis and develop better diagnostic techniques. These activities will enhance research capacity and capability and increase the knowledge base and expertise within partner laboratories, thus underpinning the development of improved tools / strategies to prevent and control these economically important animal pathogens. OrbiNet will closely liaise with the scientific community, government agencies, the EU and industry in order to exploit the knowledge generated and help to inform animal health research policies and activities at the EU level.