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Monitoring potential disease hosts and vectors in Belgium: findings from two case projects

dc.contributor.authorSmitz, N.
dc.contributor.authorDeblauwe, I.
dc.contributor.authorCuypers, L.
dc.contributor.authorHermy, M.
dc.contributor.authorKratz, F.
dc.contributor.authorRamaekers, K.
dc.contributor.authorVanderheyden, A.
dc.contributor.authorVanden Abeele, S.
dc.contributor.authorBreugelmans, K.
dc.contributor.authorSegers, B.
dc.contributor.authorSchneider, A.
dc.contributor.authorDelbecque, J.
dc.contributor.authorDe Meyer, M.
dc.contributor.authorBackeljau, T.
dc.contributor.authorMuller, R.
dc.contributor.authorVerheyen, E.
dc.contributor.authorRebolledo, J.
dc.contributor.authorGryseels, S.
dc.contributor.authorVan Bortel, W.
dc.coverage.spatialAfrica
dc.coverage.spatialEurope
dc.coverage.spatialAsia
dc.coverage.spatialAmerica
dc.date2024
dc.date.accessioned2025-03-05T14:24:50Z
dc.date.available2025-03-05T14:24:50Z
dc.identifier.urihttps://orfeo.belnet.be/handle/internal/13867
dc.descriptionIntroduction: Recent disease outbreaks have underscored the urgent need to survey infectious disease hosts and vectors. Air- and seaports often serve as Point of Entries (PoEs) for organisms or biological products potentially carrying disease-causing agents. Furthermore, the ever-growing flow of goods and people has been associated with the introduction and establishment of non‐native vectors. Hence, surveillance programs have been implemented in Belgium to monitor (1) the illegal imports of (wild) meat and potentially associated pathogens at PoEs (INTERCEPT), and (2) the introduction of exotic mosquitoes at PoEs and over medium distances (MEMO(+)). Methods: In both projects, the intercepted material (e.g. pieces of processed meat, mosquito eggs) usually lacks the morphological characteristics needed to identify the species involved. Hence, DNA barcoding was applied. Results: During targeted passenger control actions at Brussels airport, ~350 meat samples have been seized since mid-2023, of which 30% were of wild origin (27 species). Within wild meat seized, Cane rat (Thryonomys swinderianus) and African brush-tailed porcupine (Atherurus africanus) were predominant (~20%). 9 species were CITES-listed (17.8%). Also, since 2017, ~3600 mosquito samples were barcoded, of which ~260 belonged to Aedes albopictus, ~300 to Ae. japonicus and ~150 to Ae. koreicus. Repeated introductions or establishments of these exotics were revealed, with a rapidly increasing number of introduction events over the last decade for Ae. albopictus- believed to now more frequently hitchhiking from established populations in neighboring countries via ground traffic. Conclusions: DNA barcoding is a well-established tool for monitoring purposes, therewith helping to assess the risk of disease outbreaks, and supporting the implementation of prevention and control measures. The two surveillance projects demonstrated that monitoring the import of potential disease hosts and vectors is not a luxury.
dc.languageeng
dc.publisherBélem, Brazil
dc.titleMonitoring potential disease hosts and vectors in Belgium: findings from two case projects
dc.typeConference
dc.subject.frascatiBiological sciences
dc.audienceScientific
dc.subject.freeInvertebrates
dc.source.title9th International Barcode of Life Conference
dc.source.page30-31
Orfeo.peerreviewedNo
dc.identifier.rmca6758


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