Novel detection method of epizootic hemorrhagic disease virus from midge (Culicoides sonorensis) expectorate

Insect disease surveillance often involves the collection and processing of thousands of insects or serological collections from hundreds of animals.  This can be a costly and time consuming process rife with logistical concerns, including how to preserve sensitive biological material until it can be processed.  Recently, Whatman FTA cards have been employed in the field for surveillance of mosquito-borne diseases and in the lab for detection of the midge-borne Schmallenberg virus.  Mosquitoes and midges feed on baited cards and simultaneously deposit expectorate containing virus. The cards preserve the pathogen DNA or RNA for subsequent molecular detection. This study is the first use of FTA cards to detect the midge (Culicoides sonorensis) transmitted virus, epizootic hemorrhagic disease virus (EHDV), in the lab.  EHDV causes illness in livestock and white tailed deer.