ArticleParasites & vectors2025
The efficacy of vector-proof accommodation for the protection of livestock against Culicoides biting midges.
Article in Parasites & vectors, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 3 papers.
What it found
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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
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Who cites it
3 citing papers in PubMed.
- The changing landscape of bluetongue in northern Europe.Journal of medical entomology · 2026Review
- Review
- Substantial cold tolerance in all life stages of Culicoides nubeculosus (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae).Journal of medical entomology · 2026Article
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Authors and funding
8 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
backgroundBluetongue virus serotype 3 emerged in northern Europe and the UK for the first time in 2023, causing significant losses of domestic ruminants. Vector-proof accommodation is considered a potential control measure to reduce host-vector contact, but this has not been investigated in northern Europe. This study investigates the efficacy of vector-proof accommodation to protect livestock from Culicoides biting midges in the UK.
methodsFour identical stables were fitted with various levels of vector-proofing, using readily available materials, and a CDC light trap in each. Two further CDC light traps were set outside the stables. For 19 nights during June and July 2024, two pygmy goats were placed into each stable and traps were run until the following morning to collect Culicoides. Trap catch comparisons for total Culicoides, Avaritia females and Culicoides obsoletus/scoticus were analysed using negative binomial generalised linear models.
resultsThe use of brushes around closed doors resulted in a 14-fold reduction in the number of Culicoides collected from indoor traps. There was an additional effect of installing fine mesh over slatted windows, but this was not significant. Housing animals without shutting the door had no effect on the number of Culicoides collected compared to outside. Blood meal analysis confirmed Culicoides obsoletus/scoticus collected from inside stables were feeding on the goats.
conclusionsThis study has shown that small animal housing can be cheaply and easily fitted with readily available vector-proof materials to effectively protect a small number of animals from Culicoides. The efficacy and suitability of vector-proof accommodation may vary with time of year, and consideration needs to be given to the welfare implications of housing animals during the summer.
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