Rubel/Unger: Dynamics of mosquito born viral zoonoses
The investigation of the dynamics and control of mosquito-borne viral zoonoses emerges as an international research topic. Recent work at the Institute for Veterinary Public Health comprises the epidemic modelling of mosquito-borne infectious diseases such as Usutu, West Nile and bluetongue disease (just started). Focus is on basic research to understand the disease dynamics and in succession contribute to their control. In this project the infection dynamics of Rift Valley Fever (RVF) will be investigated. RVF is a zoonotic disease with high socio-economic impact and endemic in various African countries. Periodical outbreaks cause significant losses in livestock production and critical illness in humans. Similar to the other arbovirus diseases mentioned the risk of outbreaks in Europe is increasing. FAO/IAEA recently started a Coordinated research project in cooperation with authorities in Kenya, Congo, Yemen, Uganda, Mali, Gambia, Senegal and several other countries to establish a representative database of RVF prevalence in wild and farm animals.
This project should amongst others contribute to the theoretical groundwork needed to establish an early warning system. Existing early warning systems fail in nearly all cases due to the lack of including mosquito population dynamics as well as host dynamics and herd immunity.
The candidate for the Postdoc position should contribute to a more efficient prediction and control of RVF in Africa based on existing epidemic models developed for Usutu, West Nile and bluetongue virus transmission. The RVF database will be provided by the FAO/IAEA.
References
Reiczigel, J., K. Brugger, F. Rubel, N. Solymosi, and Z. Lang, 2009: Bayesian analysis of a dynamical model for the spread of the Usutu virus. Stochastic Environmental Research & Risk Assessment, accepted.
Brugger, K., and F. Rubel, 2009: Simulation of climate-change scenarios to explain Usutu-virus dynamics in Austria. Prev. Vet. Med., 88, 24-31.
Rubel, F., K. Brugger, M. Hantel, S. Chvala, T. Bakonyi, H. Weissenböck, and N. Nowotny, 2008: Explaining Usutu virus dynamics in Austria: Model development and calibration. Prev. Vet. Med., 85, 166-186.
Mayer, D., J. Reiczigel, and F. Rubel, 2008: A Lagrangian particle model to predict the airborne spread of Foot-and-Mouth disease virus. Atm. Environm., 42, 466-479.
Chvala, S., T. Bakonyi, C. Bukovsky, T. Meister, K. Brugger, F. Rubel, N. Nowotny, and H. Weissenböck, 2007: Monitoring of Usutu virus activity and spread by using dead bird surveillance in Austria, 2003-2005. Vet. Microbiol., 122, 237-245.