engleski

Entomological surveillance for Bluetongue vectors in Tirana

The incursion of Bluetongue virus (BTV) in the Mediterranean basin have implicated numerous countries that had never experienced the infection in their territory before. To define the infection area and better control the infection, some of them have organized entomological and serological surveillance plans. The circulation of bluetongue virus (BTV) was detected serologically in Albania in 2002. In the same season a survey for Culicoides Latreille, 1809, was also made to establish whether Culicoides imicola Kieffer, 1913, the main vector of BTV in the Mediterranean Basin or any other suspected vector species were present. The present study was designed to analyse the monthly activity of Culicoides species in the region of Tirana, particularly secondary vector species such as C. obsoletus, C. pulicaris and C. punctatus. While the main vector, C. imicola was not detected in the present study, a number of species which are known or suspected BTV vectors including C. obsoletus and C. pulicaris complex were among the most prevalent in Tirana. Here we report the results of this entomological survey during the year 2005.

Bluetongue virus; Culicoides vectors; entomology; surveillance; trap

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