Open AccessControl of arbovirus infections by a coordinated response: West Nile Virus in England and Wales
Author(s) -
Morgan Dilys
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
fems immunology & medical microbiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1574-695X
pISSN - 0928-8244
DOI - 10.1111/j.1574-695x.2006.00159.x
Subject(s) - arbovirus , west nile virus , arbovirus infections , virology , contingency plan , flavivirus , biology , vector (molecular biology) , public health , transmission (telecommunications) , virus , medicine , biochemistry , computer security , nursing , computer science , gene , recombinant dna , engineering , electrical engineering
Although there is no recognized transmission of human arboviral infections in the UK, concerns about the possible spread of West Nile virus (WNV) have precipitated coordinated activities around both surveillance and response. The Department of Health has chaired a UK WNV task force since the end of 2000. This is a multidisciplinary group of senior representatives from Agencies and Government Departments involved in human and animal health, entomology and academic departments. Activities include surveillance for WNV infections in humans, and in dead birds, mosquitoes and horses. All have been negative for WNV. A WNV contingency plan was produced in 2004, and this could be used as a generic plan for an effective and coordinated response in the event of the emergence of a new vector‐borne zoonotic infection.