Abstract Since mid-June 2026, an acute, non-fatal syndrome with high herd morbidity, reduced milk yield, diarrhea, fever and lethargy affected dairy cattle in southern Germany and Switzerland. Major viral pathogens were excluded. Pan-Simbuvirus PCR first detected an orthobunyavirus, subsequently confirmed by metagenomic sequencing, which enabled recovery of a complete “Shamonda-like” genome. One sentence summary line More than a decade after the emergence of Schmallenberg virus in 2011, a novel “Shamonda-like” orthobunyavirus of the Simbu serogroup has now emerged in Central Europe.

Equine encephalosis (EE) is an arthropod-borne viral disease resembling a mild form of African horse sickness disease, which affects all species of equids. Previously, only EEV serotype 4 (EEV-4) caused sporadic outbreaks of the disease in Israel. In the summer of 2023, EE was clinically diagnosed in horses and donkeys in Israel. For laboratory confirmation, tissue cultures were inoculated with whole-blood samples obtained from sick animals. Five EEV isolates were successfully recovered in tissue and confirmed by conventional RT-PCR and Sanger sequencing of several viral genes. BLAST analysis of genome segment 2 revealed that the isolates belonged to serotype 6. Full-genome sequencing of one representative strain and subsequent phylogenetic analysis demonstrated a close relationship to South African and Indian EEV strains, suggesting possible epidemiological links that warrant further investigation. This observation can indirectly point to a broader geographic circulation of EEV than was previously thought.

Arboviruses evolve under unique ecological constraints imposed by their dual replication cycles in vertebrate and arthropod hosts. This dual-host requirement results in markedly low substitution rates, which complicate molecular clock calibration, particularly when temporal sampling spans only narrow time windows. For RNA arboviruses, wide sampling windows are especially rare due to the intrinsic instability of RNA. Here, we demonstrate that ethanol-preserved museum specimens can help overcome these temporal limitations. We successfully recovered the coding-complete genome of a bandavirus, a negative-sense segmented RNA virus that clusters with the highly pathogenic human severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome virus. The virus was detected in a Common pipistrelle (Pipistrellus pipistrellus) bat collected in northern Germany in 1919, making it one of the oldest sequenced mammalian RNA viruses, only comparable to historic measles and influenza A viruses from 1912 and 1918. Screening 1086 contemporary bat samples revealed strains of the same virus species in nine Common pipistrelle bats (2010-2018) and one Serotine bat (Eptesicus serotinus, 1999) from Germany and the Netherlands. Coding-complete genomes indicate frequent genome segment reassortment and widespread circulation of reassortants of this understudied virus species (Bandavirus zwieselense). We detected an exceptionally low substitution rate (< 6.88 × 10-5 substitutions/site/year) between the RdRp coding sequence of the ancient genome and its nearest modern counterpart. Additionally, functional assays demonstrated that the virus's non-structural (NSs) protein effectively inhibits interferon induction in human HEK-293T cells. Our findings highlight the feasibility and scientific value of extracting and analysing ancient viral RNA from ethanol-preserved museum specimens to substantially enhance our understanding of RNA arbovirus evolution.

In 2020, a dairy farm in northwest Germany reported several cows with severe respiratory disease, fever, and reduced milk production. Multiple direct and indirect diagnostic methods were used to identify the cause of the disease. However, the pathogens detected could not be correlated with the severity of the clinical symptoms, so further diagnostic steps were taken. Blood and nasal swab samples were examined using next-generation sequencing (NGS) as part of a metagenomic analysis. For the first time in Germany, Hepacivirus bovis genotype 2 was detected. Real-time RT-PCR assays confirmed the presence of BovHepV genotypes 1 and 2 in the herd between 2020 and 2023. Analyses of complete and partial genome sequences demonstrated the presence of different virus variants in the herd over several years. In addition, the sequence data indicated that cattle can be reinfected with viruses belonging either to different BovHepV subtypes or to the same subtype. Although no direct link could be established between the detection of bovine hepaciviruses and the observed clinical symptoms, the PCR and sequence data obtained provide valuable insights into the epidemiology and pathogenesis of BovHepV infections.

Aujeszky’s disease (AD), caused by suid herpesvirus 1 (pseudorabies virus, PRV), is a highly contagious infection primarily affecting swine, with wild boars serving as an important reservoir in Europe. Spillover infections in non-suid species, including carnivores, are rare but typically fatal and of epidemiological concern. This study presents the first case of AD in a grey wolf (Canis lupus) in Central Europe with genomic characterization. The 8-month-old wolf was found in the Carpathians (SE Poland), moribund with acute neurological signs, and euthanized for animal welfare reasons. Necropsy revealed no pathognomonic gross lesions. Molecular analyses of tissues confirmed the presence of PRV DNA using real-time PCR, and virus isolation was successful. Genomic analysis revealed that the PRV isolate clustered within genotype I, the predominant circulating genotype in Europe. However, due to the limited availability of reference PRV genome sequences from European wildlife, the precise geographic origin and transmission pathways of this strain could not be fully resolved. In the presented case, wild boars were considered a possible source of infection. This highlights the potential for PRV transmission to apex predators. This study emphasizes the importance of systematic surveillance of PRV in wildlife and the need for expanded genomic databases of PRV strains. Full-genome sequencing is crucial for improving the understanding of PRV transmission.

The goatpox virus (GPV) is a highly contagious pathogen primarily affecting domestic small ruminants in endemic regions of Northern Africa, the Middle East, and Asia. This study reports the first confirmed outbreak of GPV in captive wild ruminants in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The outbreak occurred in a fenced 900-hectare mountainous reserve following a period of heavy rainfall, and Barbary sheep (Ammotragus lervia), Nubian ibex (Capra nubiana), Arabian oryx (Oryx leucoryx), and Scimitar oryx (Oryx dammah) were affected. Clinical signs included generalized cutaneous nodules, mucopurulent nasal discharge, respiratory distress, weakness, and emaciation. Over a three-month period, 71 animals died or were euthanized. Histopathological findings were consistent with GPV infection in goats, although typical inclusion bodies were missing. Real-time PCR confirmed GPV DNA in multiple tissues with a high viral genome load. Virus isolation was successful only in lamb testis cells. Whole-genome sequencing demonstrated that the isolates were genetically identical and clustered within the Central and Western Asia lineage, showing closest similarity to a Turkish field strain. The finding highlights the potential for cross-species transmission of GPV into wildlife and emphasizes the importance of surveillance, as well as molecular diagnostic and preventative vaccination strategies at the wildlife-livestock interface.

Zusammenfassung Im Zuge des Blauzungenkrankheitsausbruchs mit dem Serotyp 3 des Blauzungenvirus (BTV-3) in Deutschland 2024/25 wurden in einer sächsischen Fleischrinderherde bei 6 neugeborenen Kälbern neurologische Auffälligkeiten direkt post natum festgestellt. Ziel dieser Fallstudie ist die Beschreibung der Klinik der 6 Kälber, die pathologisch-anatomischen und lichtmikroskopischen Befunde eines dieser Tiere sowie die virologischen Untersuchungsergebnisse des Bestandes. Die betroffenen Kälber zeigten Orientierungslosigkeit, fehlende Reflexe und Saugschwäche. Bei dem sezierten Kalb konnte ein ausgeprägter bilateral-symmetrischer Verlust der Großhirnrinde mit flüssigkeitsgefüllten Hohlräumen im Neuroparenchym und dilatierten Seitenventrikeln im Sinne einer Hydranenzephalie festgestellt werden. Histologisch zeigten sich eine kortikale Hypo- und Dysplasie, zystische Defekte, Mikro- und Astrogliose sowie dystrophische Verkalkungen. Bei 3 von 3 untersuchten Kälbern war mittels RT-PCR im Blut BTV-3-RNA nachweisbar und sie zeigten hohe Antikörpertiter, ebenso wie deren Mütter und der Großteil des Bestandes. Die Evaluierung der epidemiologischen Situation des Bestandes deutet auf eine mögliche intrauterine BTV-3-Infektion etwa um den 120. Trächtigkeitstag hin. Der Nachweis einer Hydranenzephalie im vorliegenden Fall unterstützt die Grundregel, dass eine genaue morphologische Charakterisierung der Läsionen wesentlich zur Abgrenzung gegenüber anderen, insbesondere viralen Ursachen von ZNS-Missbildungen beim Kalb beitragen kann.

African horse sickness virus (AHSV) is a lethal equine pathogen with no licensed vaccine other than vaccines containing attenuated virus, which pose safety risks. Endemic to sub-Saharan Africa, AHSV has caused epizootics in Spain and Portugal, Cyprus, Morocco, the Middle East, India and Pakistan and, most recently, Thailand. Here, we resolve the 3.11 Å cryo-EM structure of full-length VP2 from AHSV serotype 4, adopting its native triskelion architecture and shedding light on an α-helical domain anchoring the triskelion core, which is absent in other structurally characterized orbiviruses. Structure-guided mapping identified a subdomain of VP2 as a key target of neutralizing antibodies. Displayed on nanoparticles using the SpyCatcher/SpyTag technology, the domain conferred complete protection from clinical disease after viral challenge infection in mice and elicited robust and long-lasting immune responses in horses, the target species of AHSV. These findings provide a structural blueprint for the next generation of recombinant vaccines against AHSV and related orbiviruses.

Abstract:During the 2024/25 outbreak of bluetongue disease caused by serotype 3 of the bluetongue virus (BTV-3) in Germany, 6 newborn calves in a beef cattle herd in Saxony exhibited neurological abnormalities immediately after birth. This case study aims to describe the clinical findings in these 6 calves, the pathological and histological lesions observed in one of them, as well as the virological test results from the herd. The affected calves showed disorientation, absent reflexes, and poor suckling. In the necropsied calf, marked bilateral-symmetric loss of the cerebral cortex with fluid-filled cavities in the neuroparenchyma and dilated lateral ventricles consistent with hydranencephaly was observed. Histologically, cortical hypo- and dysplasia, cystic defects, micro- and astrogliosis, and dystrophic calcifications were present. In all 3 examined calves, BTV-3 RNA was detected in blood via RT-PCR, and high antibody titers were found, as well as in their dams and most of the herd. Evaluation of the herd's epidemiological situation suggests a possible intrauterine BTV-3 infection around day 120 of gestation. The demonstration of hydranencephaly in this case supports the general principle that detailed morphological characterization of the lesions can substantially aid in distinguishing this condition from other, particularly viral causes of CNS malformations in calves.

Lumpy skin disease (LSD) is a rapidly spreading transboundary viral disease of cattle and water buffalo that poses a significant threat to livestock health and economies of Bangladesh. Calf mortality is steadily increasing over time. This study documented fatal calf mortality with vasculitis-driven multisystemic pathology, which has been rarely reported in Bangladesh. To investigate the rising incidence of calf mortality in Bangladesh, this study conducted a pathological investigation of six deceased calves and molecular analyses of the viruses. Clinically affected calves in north-central Bangladesh exhibited high fever, skin nodules, lymphadenopathy, joint swelling, respiratory distress, ocular and nasal discharge, and edema. Cutaneous nodules often sloughed off, leaving deep ulcerative lesions. Gross pathology of six deceased calves revealed multisystemic lesions, including congestion and edema of the nasal passages, tracheitis, pulmonary consolidation, renal congestion and necrosis, hepatomegaly with multifocal necrosis, splenic atrophy, and lymphadenopathy. Histopathology demonstrated necrotizing inflammation, severe broncho-interstitial pneumonia, hepatic centrilobular necrosis, myocardial infarction, interstitial nephritis with vasculitis, and marked lymphoid depletion. Molecular detection confirmed moderate to high viral loads in the skin and internal organs, consistent with the pathological findings. Whole-genome phylogenetic analysis placed the isolates within cluster 1.2 (classical African/Kenyan sheep and goat pox [KSGP]-like lineage), with one strain clustering closely with isolates from India, Serbia, and Russia, indicating possible cross-border viral movement and genetic evolution. These findings confirm the continued circulation of classical cluster 1.2 LSD virus (LSDV) in Bangladesh, with accumulating genetic variation possibly enhancing virulence in calves. The study underscores the need for sustained genomic surveillance, expanded vaccination, and improved biosecurity to mitigate future LSD outbreaks.

Bovine ephemeral fever is an arthropod-borne viral disease that affects cattle and buffalo in many regions of the world; it causes heavy economic losses in the cattle industry. To date, all BEFV-specific diagnostic molecular assays have been based on the variable glycoprotein (G-protein)-coding genome region, potentially allowing the pathogen to escape detection. We developed two new assays, based on the less variable nucleoprotein genome region, and compared them with two G-protein-based assays. For this comparison, we used 245 samples comprising positive and negative field samples from Israeli outbreaks caused by different strains, belonging to lineage I and IIIa, as well as Australian and Japanese strains (lineages IV and IIIb). The new assays showed high agreement with the previous assay (Kappa = 0.92), detecting 144 out of 147 positive samples (sensitivity of 97.96%), and detected 6 more samples as positive out of 98 samples found negative by the G-protein-based assay. All nine non-agreeing results were validated as positive using a conventional RT-PCR assay. The new assays have higher analytical sensitivity than the previous assays, can be combined with internal controls, and enable the detection of all known BEFVs. The results indicate that these two nucleoprotein-based real-time RT-qPCRs can serve as fast, sensitive, and specific assays for the sustainable detection of BEFV strains.

To achieve the global eradication of Peste des petits ruminants (PPR), the epidemiological role of atypical hosts must be fully understood. Among domestic animals, pigs are, until now, the only species that has proven to fulfil criteria relevant for hosts to act as disease reservoir. This entails the susceptibility to infection via contact with infected animals as well as the shedding of infectious virus, resulting in new infections. However, these features have been observed only in infection experiments, lacking information from the field. In this study, for the first time, we provide evidence for frequent PPR virus exposure in pigs, detected in Nigeria. The prevailing husbandry systems targeted for sampling entailed predominantly free roaming pigs and small ruminants. The sampling area was selected on the basis of the occurrence of endemic PPR in small ruminants in recent years. Sera from 183 small ruminants and 495 pigs were analysed. The 25.68% apparent seroprevalence (95% CI 19.5-32.7 at the population level) observed in small ruminants matched values detected in Nigeria. The apparent seroprevalence in pigs of 4.24% (95% CI 2.6-6.5 at the population level) distributed across Nigeria provides evidence that PPR infections in pigs are not rare events. The ability of swine populations to propagate and maintain autonomous PPR infections over time remains to be clarified at this stage. Countries engaged in PPR eradication with substantial pig populations under extensive husbandry practices, including contact with small ruminants, should, however, consider surveillance strategies that address this possibly problematic interspecies interaction.

IntroductionLumpy skin disease virus (LSDV), a member of the Capripoxvirus genus, poses a significant threat to livestock health and productivity in both endemic and newly affected regions. The disease is primarily transmitted by blood-feeding insects, leading to fever, cutaneous nodules, lymphadenopathy, and substantial economic losses. While vaccination remains the cornerstone of control efforts, effective surveillance—especially in high-risk areas—relies on robust and scalable diagnostic tools. Although the virus neutralization test is considered the reference standard among serological assays for detecting neutralising antibodies, it is labor-intensive and requires high-containment laboratories.MethodsIn this study, we produced and evaluated two recombinant LSDV antigens: ORF074 (p32), a well-known immunodominant protein, and ORF060 (homologous to the Vaccinia virus L1R), a myristoylated membrane protein identified as a promising immunogenic target. Both proteins were expressed in E. coli. Recombinant p32 was purified under native conditions, whereas recombinant L1R required denaturation and refolding. The antigens were used to develop two indirect ELISAs, and were evaluated using sera from experimentally infected cattle, as well as both vaccinated and infected field samples from Albania and Serbia.Results and discussionBoth assays demonstrated high immunoreactivity and strong concordance with the VNT. These results support the suitability of both antigens for use in serological assays and suggest that a combined, multi-target ELISA approach could enhance diagnostic sensitivity. Once validated for routine use, these novel tools may significantly improve large-scale, cost-effective serological surveillance of LSDV in endemic and at-risk regions.

Lumpy skin disease (LSD), caused by the LSD virus (LSDV) from the Capripoxvirus genus, affects cattle, water buffalo, and wild bovines, leading to significant economic losses. Characterised by fever, skin nodules, and mucosal lesions, LSD raises global concerns due to vector-borne transmission. The World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) classifies LSD as a notifiable disease, emphasising the need for rapid diagnostic methods for timely disease confirmation and control. This study evaluates the performance of two previously developed ELISA tests - competitive and indirect. The validation involved 450 field sera from infected and vaccinated herds in Albania (collected in 2016, during the LSD outbreak), 332 sera from vaccinated cattle in Serbia (collected in 2017 from farms with no prior history of LSD detection), 90 sera from experimental infections at FriedrichLoeffler-Institut, and 412 field negative sera from a Capripox-free country. The comparison with the virus neutralisation test - the gold standard - demonstrated high specificity (>= 0.95) and significant sensitivity (0.87-0.94), with 8-9 % of sera showing discordant results. The results diverged more in sera from animals with a single vaccination or sampled five months post-vaccination, indicating reduced antibody detectability over time. The study confirms the ELISAs' efficacy for large-scale LSDV serological surveillance, highlighting their potential to provide a cost-effective and rapid solution for monitoring and controlling LSD in endemic regions.

Bluetongue (BT) is an arthropod-borne viral disease primarily affecting domestic and wild ruminants. In recent years, several BTV serotypes and genotypes have been detected in Israel almost annually, raising questions about their origin and routes of introduction. Some BTV serotypes closely related to those first identified in Israel, including BTV-3, BTV-8, and BTV-12, were subsequently reported in Europe after a delay of several years. In this study, we sequenced the complete genomes of one representative strain of all newly identified Israeli BTV genotypes/serotypes-BTV-1, -4, -5, -8, and -11-first detected between 2021 and 2023. Additionally, complete sequences of enzootic Israeli BTV (2015) and eleven BTV-3 strains (2019-2023), with two representative strains for every year of isolation, except 2021 (three strains), were analyzed using phylogenetic, BLAST, and pairwise identity approaches. Genetic analyses revealed that recently identified Israeli and European BTV strains share common African ancestors, with some genomic "incursions" from Mayotte Island or the Arabian Peninsula. These incursions appeared more frequently in Israeli than in European strains. Nevertheless, nucleotide sequence differences of at least 2-3% across all genes indicate several years of independent evolution. The observed divergence suggests that no direct transmission of BTV occurred between Israel and Europe during the past decade.

Species of the widespread Obsoletus Complex (Culicoides subgenus Avarita Fox, 1955) have been implicated as potential key vectors during the bluetongue and Schmallenberg epidemics in Central Europe in 2006 and 2012. Although extensive efforts have been made to clarify vector–pathogen relationships, one of the most important steps in this process—correct species identification—remains difficult, due to the presence of isomorphic species within the Obsoletus Group. To overcome the difficulties in morphological species identification, several PCR tests were developed. With the aim of developing a high-throughput PCR, capable of differentiating all putative vector species and newly described haplotypes of the subgenus Avaritia present in Europe, a dataset of 4407 published sequences of the mitochondrial (mt) cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) was used to develop specific primers and probes, which can either be applied in a singleplex PCR or in different multiplex PCR approaches. The real-time PCR achieved very high diagnostic sensitivity (100%) and specificity (91.7%) and reliably detected the three clades of C. obsoletus sensu stricto (s.s.) in a pool of specimens. Thus, the new real-time PCR approach will provide an excellent tool for large-scale monitoring, which could improve the understanding of the biology, geographical distribution, and habitat preference of European biting midge species involved in the transmission of bluetongue, Schmallenberg, and epizootic hemorrhagic disease viruses.

Bluetongue virus (BTV) is the etiologic agent of a major infectious disease of livestock and is transmitted between its ruminant hosts by Culicoides biting midges. The first outbreak ever recorded in central Europe was caused by serotype BTV-8 and led to a major epidemic. In 2023, serotype BTV-3 emerged in the Netherlands and spread rapidly to neighbouring countries. Compared with the BTV-8 outbreak in 2006, the course of the BTV-3 epizootic is more severe, in regards to clinical signs and faster spread of the virus. To explore possible causes of the different epidemiologies, we performed laboratory infection experiments and compared the replication properties of BTV-8 and BTV-3 in Culicoides sonorensis biting midges. Oral infection with BTV-3 resulted in a significantly higher viral load in the infected midges with demonstrated replication than BTV-8 infection. The higher viral load observed in midges with BTV-3 replication than in midges with BTV-8 replication may be a factor contributing to the observed faster outbreak progression of the current BTV-3 outbreak in comparison to the BTV-8 outbreak in 2006/2007.

Ancient genome sequences provide invaluable insights into the origin and evolution of viral pathogens, offering a broader temporal perspective that extends well beyond the limited timespan of clinical data, which typically covers at most a few decades. Whereas ancient viral DNA is relatively frequently recovered, ancient viral RNA genomes are scarce due to the fragile nature of RNA molecules. In this study, we explored the feasibility of detecting ancient viral RNA in ethanol-preserved bat samples from a museum collection. We not only detected viral genome fragments but also recovered the coding-complete genome of a bandavirus (species Bandavirus zwieselense, family Phenuiviridae, order Hareavirales, class Bunyaviricetes) from a Common pipistrelle (Pipistrellus pipistrellus) bat collected in northern Germany in 1919. To investigate the modern distribution of Bandavirus zwieselense, we screened bat organs collected in Germany and the Netherlands via RT-qPCR, identifying modern counterparts in nine Common Pipistrelle (P. pipistrellus) bats (collected between 2010 and 2018), and one Serotine bat (Eptesicus serotinus, collected in 1999). The resulting genomic data enabled us to map phylogenetic relationships within this previously uncharacterized virus species (Bandavirus zwieselense) and estimate the timeframe for the most recent common ancestor. Additionally, we performed functional analysis of the S segment encoded nonstructural (NSs) protein of Bandavirus zwieselense in human HEK-293T cells, demonstrating its ability to block interferon induction, a characteristic also observed in the related human-pathogenic Severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome virus (SFTSV, species Bandavirus dabieense). This study demonstrates the feasibility of recovering and characterizing viral genomes from ethanol-preserved ancient RNA material, underscoring the significant potential of museum collections to contribute to the understanding of RNA virus evolution. ### Competing Interest Statement The authors have declared no competing interest.

In April 2017, a rat was observed on an airplane during a flight from Miami (USA) to Berlin (Germany). After landing in Berlin, significant efforts were made to trap the rat and disinfect the airplane. As rats are known reservoir hosts for a variety of zoonotic pathogens, this event necessitated the establishment of a standard workflow for the detection of rodent-borne pathogens. Tissue and blood samples were collected to screen for zoonotic pathogens and other known and novel infectious agents using an array of open-view methods (cultivation and characterization of bacteria, high-throughput sequencing) and pathogen-specific methods (e.g. PCR, RT-PCR and multiplex serology). The black rat (Rattus rattus), as confirmed by mtDNA sequences, carried several infectious agents. Cultivation experiments revealed the presence of seven bacterial and two fungal genera. In addition, a methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus strain of MLST-CC45 was detected by culture-based approaches, and its full genome was sequenced. High-throughput sequencing identified novel picobirnaviruses and various bacterial genera, the majority of which represent commensals rather than pathogens. Despite the diversity of bacterial, viral, and fungal species that can be expected in wild rats, only a few zoonotic and non-zoonotic pathogens were detected in the stowaway rat. Nonetheless, this incident highlights the potential of international (and cross-continental) dissemination of pathogens and the need for a standardized workflow to provide comprehensive coverage of the diversity of microorganisms in such animals.

Epizootic hemorrhagic disease (EHD) is an infectious, non-contagious viral disease seriously affecting cattle and some wild ruminants and has a worldwide distribution. All viruses can be subdivided into "Eastern" and "Western" topotypes according to geographic distribution via the phylogenetic analysis of internal genes. In Israel, during the last decade, three outbreaks were registered: caused by EHDV-6 in 2015, by EHDV-1 in 2016, and by EHDV-7 in 2020. Additionally, RNA of EHDV-8 was found in imported calves from Portugal in 2023. During the same period in other countries of the region, non-Israeli-like EHDV-6 and EHDV-8 were identified. Full genome sequencing, BLAST, and phylogenetic analyses of the locally and globally known EHDV genomes allowed us to presume the probable route and origin of these viruses detected in Israel. Thus, EHDV-6 has probably been circulating in the region for a long period when EHDV-1 and -8 appeared here for the last years, while their route of introduction into the new areas was probably natural; all of them belonged to the "Western" topotype. In contrast, EHDV-7 probably had the "Eastern", anthropogenic origin. Data from the study can facilitate the evaluation of the appearance or reappearance of EHDVs in the Mediterranean area and enhance the planning of prevention measures.