Evidence of Lumpy Skin Virus DNA in Blood-Feeding Flies During Outbreaks in Russia in 2018-2019

Abstract In this study we report the testing of blood-feeding and synanthropic flies captured near animals affected by lumpy skin disease virus (LSDV) in Russia during the outbreaks in the Kurgan region in 2018 and Saratov region in 2019. The insects of interest were the stable fly Stomoxys calcitrans, Tabanidae horse flies, Culicoides midges and the house fly Musca domestica examined as individuals or pools. The obtained findings demonstrate that viral DNA was found in pools of S.calcitrans and M. domestica and in the head and abdomen of stable flies. This is the first report of LSDV DNA detection in Tabanidae flies from the field. The presented data are envisaged to help further guide the search for putative vectors of LSDV in different climatic regions and interpret laboratory-controlled experiments on vector-borne transmission of LSDV.