Orbivirus Pathogenesis, Epidemiology, and Control Measures

Objective 1. Determine vector biology and environmental maintenance of orbiviruses to inform future surveillance programs. Sub-Objective A. Using historical data available from veterinary diagnostic laboratories, identify areas of active orbivirus transmission and subsequently identify ecological characteristics within these distinct transmission areas. Objective 2. Identify determinants of orbiviral replication in vertebrate and invertebrate hosts. Sub-Objective A.Identify factors in virus-vector-host interactions to inform the development of improved, vector-enhanced experimental animal infection models. Sub-Objective B. Identify the factors modulating adaptive mammalian immune responses to orbiviruses to inform the development of vaccines. Sub-Objective C. Determine the effect of EHDV replication mechanisms on vector competence and transmission.