The housefly, Musca domestica, as a possible mechanical vector of Newcastle disease virus in the laboratory and field

BARIN, A.; ARABKHAZAELI, F.; RAHBARI, S.; MADANI, S. A.

Newcastle disease (Paramyxoviridae) is a highly infectious virus shed in the faeces of infected birds. Non‐biting Muscid flies characteristically visit manure and decaying organic material to feed and oviposit, and may contribute to disease transmission. The housefly, Musca domestica (Linnaeus, 1758) (Diptera: Muscidae), has been implicated as a mechanical vector of numerous pathogens. In this study 2000 aerial net‐captured houseflies were examined for their ability to harbour Newcastle disease virus (NDV). In an adjacent study, laboratory‐reared flies were experimentally exposed to NDV La Sota strain. The virus was detected in the dissected gastrointestinal tract of laboratory‐exposed flies for up to 72 h post‐exposure, whereas the untreated control flies were negative.