The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has published its July 2026 newsletter on vector-borne diseases affecting animal health, compiling the latest scientific developments and surveillance updates on pathogens transmitted by vectors such as mosquitoes, ticks, and biting midges. The newsletter, released on 30 July 2026, serves as a regular update for risk assessors, veterinary authorities, and researchers monitoring diseases like bluetongue, West Nile fever, and African horse sickness across the EU.
This edition follows EFSA's December 2025 newsletter on the same topic, which had highlighted emerging threats and seasonal patterns in vector activity. The July issue is part of EFSA's ongoing commitment to provide timely, evidence-based information to support EU member states in their animal health surveillance and control efforts, particularly as vector-borne disease risks fluctuate with climate and seasonal changes.
The newsletter also references EFSA's recent scientific outputs, including the assessment on the listing and categorisation of contagious bovine pleuropneumonia under the Animal Health Law (Regulation (EU) No 2016/429), published by the EFSA Panel on Animal Health and Welfare (AHAW). That assessment, led by panel members including Simon More and Anette Bøtner, evaluated the disease's impact and categorisation, contributing to the EU's legal framework for animal disease prevention and control.
In addition, the newsletter points to EFSA's plant health horizon scanning newsletters from March and January 2026, which monitor emerging plant pests and diseases, reflecting the authority's broader surveillance role across both animal and plant health sectors.
The publication is compiled by EFSA's scientific staff and is available as an open-access supporting publication, ensuring wide dissemination to stakeholders. It does not introduce new regulatory measures but serves as a consolidated information resource, helping national authorities and veterinary services stay abreast of vector-borne disease trends and relevant scientific evidence.
For EU livestock producers and veterinary professionals, the newsletter provides early warnings on disease circulation, which can inform vaccination strategies and biosecurity measures. However, it imposes no direct compliance obligations, and its impact is primarily informational, supporting existing national surveillance programmes rather than introducing new requirements. EFSA continues to coordinate with the European Commission and member states on vector-borne disease preparedness, with the next newsletter expected to track developments through the late summer and autumn vector season.