Factors affecting Bluetongue serotype 8 spread in Northern Europe in 2006: The geographical epidemiology

In 2006, Bluetongue serotype 8 was notified for the first time in north-western Europe, more specifically in Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxemburg, Germany and France. The disease spread very rapidly, affecting mainly cattle and sheep farms. In this paper, we examined risk factors affecting the spatial incidence of reported Bluetongue events during the first outbreak in 2006. Previous studies suggested that the Bluetongue incidence was enhanced by environmental factors, such as temperature and wind speed and direction, as well as by human interventions, such as the transport of animals. In contrast to the previous studies, which were based on univariable analyses, a multivariable epidemiological analysis describing the spatial relationship between Bluetongue incidence and possible risk factors is proposed in this paper. This disentangles the complex interplay between different risk factors.Our model shows that wind is the most important factor affecting the incidence of the disease. In addition, areas with high precipitation are slightly more sensitive to the spread of the infection via the wind. Another important risk factor is the land cover; high-risk areas for infection being characterized by a fragmentation of the land cover, especially the combination of forests and urban areas. Precipitation and temperature are also significant risk factors. High precipitation in areas with a large coverage of forests and/or pasture increases the risk whereas high temperature increases the risk considerably in municipalities covered mainly with pasture. Local spread via the vector is strongest in areas with a large coverage of forests and smallest in highly urbanized areas. Finally, the transport of animals from infected areas is a risk factor.