Effects of cattle on vector-borne disease risk to humans: A systematic review.

Vector-borne pathogens (VBPs) causing vector-borne diseases (VBDs) can circulate among humans, domestic animals, and wildlife, with cattle in particular serving as an important source of exposure risk to humans. The close associations between humans and cattle can facilitate the transmission of numerous VBPs, impacting public health and economic security. Published studies demonstrate that cattle can influence human exposure risk positively, negatively, or have no effect. There is a critical need to synthesize the information in the scientific literature on this subject, in order to illuminate the various ecological mechanisms that can affect VBP exposure risk in humans. Therefore, the aim of this systematic review was to review the scientific literature, provide a synthesis of the possible effects of cattle on VBP risk to humans, and propose future directions for research. This study was performed according to the PRISMA 2020 extension guidelines for systematic review. After screening 470 peer-reviewed articles published between 1999-2019 using the databases Web of Science Core Collection, PubMed Central, CABI Global Health, and Google Scholar, and utilizing forward and backward search techniques, we identified 127 papers that met inclusion criteria. Results of the systematic review indicate that cattle can be beneficial or harmful to human health with respect to VBDs depending on vector and pathogen ecology and livestock management practices. Cattle can increase risk of exposure to infections spread by tsetse flies and ticks, followed by sandflies and mosquitoes, through a variety of mechanisms. However, cattle can have a protective effect when the vector prefers to feed on cattle instead of humans and when chemical control measures (e.g., acaricides/insecticides), semio-chemicals, and other integrated vector control measures are utilized in the community. We highlight that further research is needed to determine ways in which these mechanisms may be exploited to reduce VBD risk in humans.

Threshold dynamics of an almost periodic vector-borne disease model.

Many infectious diseases cannot be transmitted from human to human directly, and the transmission needs to be done via a vector. It is well known that vectors' life cycles are highly dependent on their living environment. In order to investigate dynamics of vector-borne diseases under environment influence, we propose a vector-borne disease model with almost periodic coefficients. We derive the basic reproductive number [Formula: see text] for this model and establish a threshold type result on its global dynamics in terms of [Formula: see text]. As an illustrative example, we consider an almost periodic model of malaria transmission. Our numerical simulation results show that the basic reproductive number may be underestimated if almost periodic coefficients are replaced by their average values . Finally, we use our model to study the dengue fever transmission in Guangdong, China. The parameters are chosen to fit the reported data available for Guangdong. Numerical simulations indicate that the annual dengue fever case in Guangdong will increase steadily in the near future unless more effective control measures are implemented. Sensitivity analysis implies that the parameters with strong impact on the outcome are recovery rate, mosquito recruitment rate, mosquito mortality rate, baseline transmission rates between mosquito and human. This suggests that the effective control strategies may include intensive treatment, mosquito control, decreasing human contact number with mosquitoes (e.g., using bed nets and preventing mosquito bites), and environmental modification.

The contribution of risk perception and social norms to reported preventive behaviour against selected vector-borne diseases in Guyana.

Preventing vector-borne diseases (VBDs) mainly relies on effective vector control tools and strategies, which in turn depend on population acceptance and adherence. Inspired by the abundant recent literature on SARS-COV-2, we investigate the relationship between risk perception and preventive behaviour for selected VBDs and the extent to which risk perception is determined by social norms. We use cross-sectional data collected from 497 individuals in four regions of Guyana in 2017. We use a conditional mixed process estimator with multilevel coefficients, estimated through a Generalized Linear Model (GLM) framework, applying a simultaneous equation structure. We find robust results on malaria: risk perception was significantly influenced by the risk perception of the reference group across different definitions of the reference group, hinting at the existence of social norms. Risk perception significantly increased the likelihood of passive behaviour by 4.48%. Less clear-cut results were found for dengue. This study applies quantitative social science methods to public health issues in the context of VBDs. Our findings point to the relevance of tailoring communications on health risks for VBDs to groups defined at the intersection of socio-economic and demographic characteristics. Such tailored strategies are expected to align risk perception among reference groups and boost preventive behaviour.

Does ignoring transmission dynamics lead to underestimation of the impact of interventions against mosquito-borne disease?

New vector-control technologies to fight mosquito-borne diseases are urgently needed, the adoption of which depends on efficacy estimates from large-scale cluster-randomised trials (CRTs). The release of Wolbachia-infected mosquitoes is one promising strategy to curb dengue virus (DENV) transmission, and a recent CRT reported impressive reductions in dengue incidence following the release of these mosquitoes. Such trials can be affected by multiple sources of bias, however. We used mathematical models of DENV transmission during a CRT of Wolbachia-infected mosquitoes to explore three such biases: human movement, mosquito movement and coupled transmission dynamics between trial arms. We show that failure to account for each of these biases would lead to underestimated efficacy, and that the majority of this underestimation is due to a heretofore unrecognised bias caused by transmission coupling. Taken together, our findings suggest that Wolbachia-infected mosquitoes could be even more promising than the recent CRT suggested. By emphasising the importance of accounting for transmission coupling between arms, which requires a mathematical model, we highlight the key role that models can play in interpreting and extrapolating the results from trials of vector control interventions.

Northeast Regional Center for Excellence in Vector-Borne Diseases' Master of Science training program: a curriculum to support future capacity in public health entomology.

A major lack of expertise in vector biology, surveillance, and control for public health professionals has been acknowledged over the past several decades, especially in light of the introduction of West Nile and Zika viruses to the United States. To address this growing need, the Northeast Regional Center for Excellence in Vector-Borne Diseases (NEVBD) designed a unique educational program to cross-train students in the fundamentals of vector biology and public health. Here, we summarize the formation, evaluation, and outcomes of NEVBD's Master of Science in Entomology: Vector-Borne Disease Biology program and provide details on core competencies to enable adoption and adaptation of the program to other institutions and contexts. A discussion of major barriers to filling the nation's need for public health personnel with medical entomology training, such as financial barriers and recruitment of underrepresented students, is presented. We conclude with considerations for administering these training programs.

Development of disposable electrode for the detection of mosquito-borne viruses.

Development of disposable, rapid, and convenient biosensor with high sensitivity and reliability is the most desired method of viral disease prevention. To achieve this goal, in this work, a practical impedimetric biosensor has been implemented into a disposable electrode on a screen-printed carbon electrode (SPCE) for the detection of two mosquito-borne viruses. The biosensor fabrication has step-wisely carried out on the disposable electrode surface at room temperature: starting from conductive film formation, physical binding of the gold nanoparticles (AuNPs)-polyaniline (PAni) into the conductive film, and biofunctionalization. To get the maximum efficiency of the antibody, biotinylated antibody has been conjugated on the surface of AuNP-PAni/PAni-SPCE via the streptavidin-biotin conjugation method which is a critical factor for the high sensitivity. Using the antibody-antigen interaction, this disposable electrode has designed to detect mosquito-borne infectious viruses, Chikungunya virus (CHIKV), and Zika virus (ZIKV) separately in a wide linear range of 100 fg mL-1 to 1 ng mL-1 with a low detection limit of 1.33 and 12.31 fg mL-1 , respectively.

Nurses' perceptions of climate sensitive vector-borne diseases: A scoping review.

OBJECTIVE: Nurses are well positioned to play an integral role in the mitigation of climate change and climate-driven vector-borne diseases, however, they lack awareness and knowledge about their role. The purpose of this scoping review was to map existing literature on nurses' perceptions, knowledge, attitudes, and experiences with vector-borne diseases, specifically Lyme disease and West Nile virus. DESIGN: A scoping review was conducted using Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) scoping review methodology. CINAHL, ProQuest Nursing & Allied Health Premium, MEDLINE, APA PsycINFO, ProQuest Dissertations & Theses, and Web of Science were searched for English-language publications. The PRISMA-ScR was used. After initial screening as per study protocol, a total of 33 items were reviewed independently by four reviewers. RESULTS: Thirty-three articles, including seven sources from grey literature, met the criteria for this scoping review. Results were mapped according to the five domains of the Guidelines for Undergraduate Nursing Education on Climate-Driven Vector-Borne Diseases. CONCLUSIONS: Findings from the review indicate that nurses play a role in climate-related health effects and should be knowledgeable about vector-borne diseases. However, scant literature exists on nurses' knowledge, perceptions, attitudes toward vector-borne diseases, and practice readiness, signifying a need for further research on this emerging topic.

[Climate change and vector-borne diseases. From knowledge to action]. / Cambio climático y enfermedades transmitidas por vectores. Convertir el conocimiento en acción.

Andalusia is particularly sensitive to climate change, not only because of extreme weather events, but also because of the impact on the population dynamics of vectors, pathogens, reservoirs and hosts, which has led to a change in the epidemiological patterns of vector-borne diseases. In order to achieve an integrated vector management for disease control, public action is necessary. This study describes the design of the initial phase of a strategy for knowledge translation about climate change and vector-borne diseases to the public, using transdisciplinary co-creation and the World Café participatory method with three discussion rounds to address strategies for three age groups (adults, adolescents and schoolchildren). The aim is to drive knowledge into action and for this purpose the underlying messages for action (strategic and instrumental) have been identified, as well as the formats of the knowledge products and the potential implementers of the strategies.

Artificial intelligence (AI): a new window to revamp the vector-borne disease control.

Artificial intelligence (AI) facilitates scientists to devise intelligent machines that work and behave like humans to resolve difficulties and problems by utilizing minimal resources. The Healthcare sector has benefited due to this. Mosquito-transmitted diseases pose a significant health risk. Despite all advances, present strategies for curbing these diseases still depend largely on controlling the mosquito vectors. This strategy demands an army of entomology experts for thorough monitoring, determining, and finally eradicating the targeted mosquito population. Deep learning (DL) algorithms may substitute such unmanageable processes. The current review focuses on how AI, with particular emphasis on deep learning, demonstrates effectiveness in quick detection, identification, monitoring, and finally controlling the target mosquito populations with minimal resources. It accelerates the pace of operation and data exploration on ongoing evolutionary status, tendency to feed blood, and age grading of mosquitoes. The successful combination of computer and biological sciences will provide practical insight and generate a new research niche in this study area.

Seguridad y satisfacción de fumigadores para el control de enfermedades transmitidas por vectores en Arequipa / Safety and satisfaction of fumigators for the control of vector-borne diseases in Arequipa

Las enfermedades transmitidas por vectores (ETV) van en repunte, la seguridad y satisfacción del equipo que trabaja en el área de fumigación son prioridad, ya que son el personal clave y estratégico para hacer frente a estas enfermedades que son un gran problema de la salud pública a nivel mundial. Como objetivo se propuso deteminar el nivel de seguridad y satisfacción de fumigadores para el control de enfermedades transmitidas por vectores en Arequipa durante el primer semestre del año 2022. La investigación fue descriptiva, experimental de corte transversal con una muestra de 58 fumigadores. Como instrumento de recolección de datos se aplicó una encuesta validada por expertos que consta de tres secciones con diversos ítems para describir la muestra, perfil sociodemográfico, actividad ocupacional, uso de equipos de protección personal, condiciones de salud y satisfacción de empleo. Se utilizó el programa Excel para elaborar la base de datos y el programa EPIDAT 3.0 para frecuencias, porcentajes e IC 95%. Como resultado, 74,14% eran del sexo masculino y 25,86% femenino, 70,69% tenían 41 años o más, 70,69% tenían más de 10 años de ambigüedad, 32,76% tenían unión de hecho, 48,28% tenían estudios secundarios, por otra parte, 94,83% de colaboradores expuestos a Deltametrina <1 hora en dilución y carga, usan mascarillas y filtros, 86,21% usan guantes, bragas y delantales y 84,48% usa gafas, 53,45% sentían sensación de naúseas o mareos, 93,10% estaban satisfechos con el ambiente laboral. Como conclusión, se hace necesario continuar con investigaciones semejantes en diferentes zonas de Perú(AU)

Vector-borne diseases (VTE) are on the rise, the safety and satisfaction of the team that works in the fumigation area are a priority, since they are the key and strategic personnel to deal with these diseases, which are a major health problem public worldwide. The objective was to determine the level of safety and satisfaction of fumigators for the control of vector-borne diseases in Arequipa during the first semester of 2022. The research was descriptive, experimental, cross-sectional with a sample of 58 fumigators. As a data collection instrument, a survey validated by experts was applied, consisting of three sections with various items to describe the sample, sociodemographic profile, occupational activity, use of personal protective equipment, health conditions, and job satisfaction. The Excel program was used to prepare the database and the EPIDAT 3.0 program for frequencies, percentages and 95% CI. As a result, 74.14% were male and 25.86% female, 70.69% were 41 years of age or older, 70.69% had more than 10 years of ambiguity, 32.76% had a common-law union, 48 28% had secondary education, on the other hand, 94.83% of employees exposed to Deltamethrin <1 hour in dilution and load wear masks and filters, 86.21% wear gloves, panties and aprons and 84.48% wear glasses, 53.45% felt nauseated or dizzy, 93.10% were satisfied with the work environment. In conclusion, it is necessary to continue with similar investigations in different areas of Peru(AU)

Combined measures: Progress against mosquito-borne diseases advances on three fronts: Progress against mosquito-borne diseases advances on three fronts.

The fight against mosquito-borne diseases requires a combination of new vaccines, non-pharmaceutical interventions and novel strategies to target the mosquito vectors.

Bridging landscape ecology and urban science to respond to the rising threat of mosquito-borne diseases.

The prevalence of diseases borne by mosquitoes, particularly in the genus Aedes, is rising worldwide. This has been attributed, in part, to the dramatic rates of contemporary urbanization. While Aedes-borne disease risk varies within and between cities, few investigations use urban science-based approaches to examine how city structure and function contribute to vector or pathogen introduction and maintenance. Here, we integrate theories from complex adaptive systems, landscape ecology and urban geography to develop an urban systems framework for understanding Aedes-borne diseases. The framework establishes that cities comprise hierarchically structured patches of different land uses and characteristics. Properties of the patches (that is, composition) determine localized disease risk, while configuration and connectivity drive emergent patterns of pathogen spread. Complexity is added by incorporating individual and collective human social structures, considering how feedbacks among social actors and with the landscape drive risk and transmission. We discuss how these concepts apply to case studies of Aedes-borne disease from around the world. Ultimately, the framework strengthens existing theoretical and mixed qualitative-quantitative approaches, and advances considerations of how interventions including urban planning (for example, piped water provisioning) and emerging vector control strategies (for example, Wolbachia-infected mosquitoes) can be implemented to prevent and control the rising threat of Aedes-borne diseases.

A general modeling framework for exploring the impact of individual concern and personal protection on vector-borne disease dynamics.

BACKGROUND: As climate variability and extreme weather events associated with climate change become more prevalent, public health authorities can expect to face an expanding spectrum of vector-borne diseases with increasing incidence and geographical spread. Common interventions include the use of larvicides and adulticides, as well as targeted communications to increase public awareness regarding the need for personal protective measures, such as mosquito repellant, protective clothing, and mosquito nets. Here, we propose a simplified compartmental model of mosquito-borne disease dynamics that incorporates the use of personal protection against mosquito bites influenced by two key individual-level behavioral drivers-concern for being bitten by mosquitos as a nuisance and concern for mosquito-borne disease transmission. METHODS: We propose a modified compartmental model that describes the dynamics of vector-borne disease spread in a naïve population while considering the public demand for community-level control and, importantly, the effects of personal-level protection on population-level outbreak dynamics. We consider scenarios at low, medium, and high levels of community-level vector control, and at each level, we consider combinations of low, medium, and high levels of motivation to use personal protection, namely concern for disease transmission and concern for being bitten in general. RESULTS: When there is very little community-level vector control, nearly the entire population is quickly infected, regardless of personal protection use. When vector control is at an intermediate level, both concerns that motivate the use of personal protection play an important role in reducing disease burden. When authorities have the capacity for high-level community vector control through pesticide use, the motivation to use personal protection to reduce disease transmission has little additional effect on the outbreak. CONCLUSIONS: While results show that personal-level protection alone is not enough to significantly impact an outbreak, personal protective measures can significantly reduce the severity of an outbreak in conjunction with community-level control. Furthermore, the model provides insight for targeting public health messaging to increase the use of personal protection based on concerns related to being bitten by mosquitos or vector-borne disease transmission.

Vector-Borne diseases in Egypt: Present status and accelerating toward elimination.

Vector borne diseases (VBDs) remain one of the greatest dangers to global health. At least seven VBDs of public health concern are prevalent in Egypt, including schistosomiasis, fascioliasis, lymphatic filariasis, leishmaniasis, malaria, dengue, and Rift Valley fever. Although many of these diseases are preventable by using evidence-based protective measures, VBD expansion patterns over the past few decades pose a significant challenge for modern parasitology and tropical medicine. In their action plan, Egypt did not identify populations at risk of VBDs. Egypt intends to improve its regional and international communication to identify pathogens and infections and develop "One Health"- compliant preparedness and prevention strategies. However, cross-border collaborations are required for the control of VBDs. In this context, we provide a situational analysis and comprehensive review of the epidemiological data on Egypt's most prevalent VBDs based on an exhaustive search of the major electronic databases and literature from 1950 to 2019. We identified the gaps in Egypt's preparedness for vector-borne disease threats, including adaptation documents, surveillance and monitoring, environmental management, and preparations for the health system. There is a lack of implementation of an integrated vector management strategy that integrates chemical, environmental, and biological control as well as health education. This necessitates cross-sectoral coordination and community involvement to improve vector control activities and the use, storage, and disposal of pesticides.

Time-Scale Analysis and Parameter Fitting for Vector-Borne Diseases with Spatial Dynamics.

Vector-borne diseases are progressively spreading in a growing number of countries, and it has the potential to invade new areas and habitats. From the dynamical perspective, the spatial-temporal interaction of models that try to adjust to such events is rich and challenging. The first challenge is to address the dynamics of vectors (very fast and local) and the dynamics of humans (very heterogeneous and non-local). The objective of this work is to use the well-known Ross-Macdonald models, identifying different time scales, incorporating human spatial movements and estimate in a suitable way the parameters. We will concentrate on a practical example, a simplified space model, and apply it to dengue spread in the state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Understanding pathogen survival and transmission by arthropod vectors to prevent human disease.

Many endemic poverty-associated diseases, such as malaria and leishmaniasis, are transmitted by arthropod vectors. Pathogens must interact with specific molecules in the vector gut, the microbiota, and the vector immune system to survive and be transmitted. The vertebrate host, in turn, is infected when the pathogen and vector-derived factors, such as salivary proteins, are delivered into the skin by a vector bite. Here, we review recent progress in our understanding of the biology of pathogen transmission from the human to the vector and back, from the vector to the host. We also highlight recent advances in the biology of vector-borne disease transmission, which have translated into additional strategies to prevent human disease by either reducing vector populations or by disrupting their ability to transmit pathogens.

Comparing Vector-Borne Disease Surveillance and Response in Beijing and the Netherlands.

Background: Climate change, environmental change, and globalization affect the geographical distribution of vector-borne diseases. Temperate regions should be prepared for emerging diseases and learn from each other's experiences. Objectives: The vector-borne disease preparedness in two regions, Beijing and the Netherlands, were compared in order understand their similarities and differences leading to learning points on this complex topic. Methods: A comparative study was performed using interviews with vector-borne disease experts from Beijing and the Netherlands and supplemented by literature. Findings: In Beijing, syndromic surveillance is a priority for the identification of suspected vector-borne disease cases. In the Netherlands, the main surveillance emphasis is on laboratory confirmed vector-borne disease cases. Vector-surveillance at potential points of entry and other high-risk locations is performed according to the International Health Regulation (2005) in both settings. Beijing controls invasive and native mosquitos, which is not the case in the Netherlands. In Beijing, vector surveillance is performed to measure mosquito density around hospitals, this is not observed in the Dutch setting. Health risks posed by ticks are a priority in urban areas in the Netherlands, and the public is educated in self-protection. In contrast, ticks seem to occur less often in Beijing's urban areas. Conclusions: The vector-borne disease context framework allowed us to compare the vector-borne disease preparedness between Beijing and the Netherlands, despite differences in vector-borne disease challenges. We can learn valuable lessons concerning surveillance and early detection of emerging vector-borne diseases when comparing the preparedness between different regions.

Selective targeting of biting females to control mosquito-borne infectious diseases.

Mosquitoes are vectors for a number of infectious diseases. Only females feed on blood to provision for their embryos and, in doing so, transmit pathogens to the associated vertebrate hosts. Therefore, sex is an important phenotype in the context of genetic control programs, both for sex separation in the rearing facilities to avoid releasing biting females and for ways to distort the sex ratio towards nonbiting males. We review recent progress in the fundamental knowledge of sex determination and sex chromosomes in mosquitoes and discuss new methods to achieve sex separation and sex ratio distortion to help control mosquito-borne infectious diseases. We conclude by suggesting a few critical areas for future research.