Nordic Midge-borne Disease Network

Midge‑borne diseases are becoming a growing challenge for Nordic grazing animals as climate and environmental conditions change, as shown by the recent Bluetongue virus (BTV‑3) outbreak. The Nordic Midge‑borne Disease Network brings together researchers, authorities and animal health organizations to share knowledge and develop evidence‑based practices for detecting, preventing, and managing these diseases. By strengthening cross‑border collaboration and promoting resilient farming practices, the network supports healthy livestock, food security, and sustainable rural livelihoods across the region.

In our changing environment, nuisance biting insects and the diseases they transmit (vector-borne diseases) are an increasing challenge for grazing animals. This new reality of emerging vector-borne diseases was, most recently, demonstrated by the outbreak of the midge (Culicoides spp.) transmitted Bluetongue virus serotype 3 (BTV-3). The midge-borne BTV-3 outbreak led to morbidity and mortality in ruminants in Denmark, Sweden and Norway. Now we must acknowledge that disease-causing, midge-borne pathogens are established in the Nordics (i.e. Schmallenberg virus ) and could be expanding (e.g., BTV-3) in the region.

As these midge-borne diseases cannot be prevented by general preventive measures such as biosecurity, national and international collaboration becomes necessary to detect, respond, prevent and manage these diseases in a holistic and sustainable way. The Nordic Midge-borne Disease network aims to create a community of practice where researchers, authorities and other stakeholders come together and navigate the steps of evidence-based decision making.

We aim to accomplish this through:

enhancing information sharing across borders and between institutes and stakeholders about midge-borne animal diseases;
facilitating shared knowledge development about biting midges and midge-borne animal diseases;
developing evidence-based practices for resilient farming practices and prevention measures for midge-borne animal diseases. Core network activities are 3-monthly online meetings, a virtual poster session, and an in-person workshop.

Healthy livestock are essential to Nordic food security, biodiversity, and farmer livelihoods. The NoMiBo Network aims to strengthen the region’s capacity to prevent, detect, and manage midge-borne diseases by generating and sharing evidence-based knowledge tailored to Nordic environmental, climatic, and production conditions.

The network consists of, and welcomes, researchers of all stages, authorities and decision-makers, focusing on midge-borne diseases in grazing animals.