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10-Minute Presentation

Medical, Urban, and Veterinary Entomology

10-min: MUVE, Medical and Forensic Entomology

Potential role of house flies in mechanical transmission of vesicular stomatitis virus

Tuesday, November 12, 2024
11:30 AM – 11:42 AM MST
Location: Phoenix Convention Center, 225 B, PCC
Oral Presentation
Vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) is a contagious and vector-borne arbovirus causing vesicular disease in horses, cattle and swine. Pool feeders such as Culicoides biting midges, Simulium black flies, and Lutzomyia sand flies are the most well characterized transmission-competent vectors. Virus is likely acquired by insects from oro-nasal vesicular lesions containing high titers of virus, as well as virus contaminated saliva on the skin. House flies (Musca domestica), abundant on livestock operations, acquire microbes from animal secretions and animal waste, retain them as contaminants on their surfaces and via ingestion, and subsequently disseminate them among animals, their food, and their environment. The aim of this investigation was to determine the potential of house flies to mechanically transmit VSV between animals, either by carrying virus externally and/or by ingestion and regurgitation. Flies allowed to feed on a VSV-spiked meal tested positive for viral RNA and infectious virus at 2 and 24 hours post exposure. In a follow up study, testing was done to determine whether exposed flies were then able to transfer virus to other surfaces in their environment. These findings may have implications for mechanical transmission of VSV within or between animal herds.